NHS Direct is a confidential, easy to use service available 24 hours a day. If you are feeling unwell and are not sure what to do, or you need health information, including details of your local health services, NHS Direct can help.
There are four ways to use NHS Direct:
- Visit the NHS Direct website using the links from this page
- Look in the self-help guide in your Thompson Local Directory
- Go to NHS Direct Interactive on digital satellite TV
- or call the telephone service to speak to a health professional
NHS Direct Telephone Service - 0845 46 47
If you are feeling unwell and need medical advice, call the telephone service on 0845 46 47 to speak to an experienced NHS Direct nurse.
If you are calling from work, or somewhere with a switchboard, you may have to dial 0845 46 47 647. If English is not your preferred language, you can use the confidential interpretation service.
In an emergency, dial 999 for an ambulance. Go to First Aid and Medical Emergencies for advice on what is an emergency. If you are not sure if it is an emergency, phone NHS Direct.
NHS Direct Website and Email Enquiry Service
If you need health information or non-urgent medical advice, go to the NHS Direct website.
If you cannot find what you need on the website, you can use a confidential online enquiry service to receive an email response within 5 working days.
The website and enquiry service can only provide information about named health conditions - not diagnoses, advice or counselling, and cannot provide medical advice if you are feeling unwell.
