Where to go: A&E, urgent treatment centre, NHS 111, pharmacy or GP

Written and reviewed by the UK Hospitals editorial team
Last reviewed: 22 October 2026 · Next review due: 22 April 2027

This guide brings together information from the NHS and other official sources, listed at the end of the page. It is not medical advice.

Choosing the right service gets you seen sooner and keeps A&E free for emergencies. This guide explains when to call 999, when to use NHS 111, and when a pharmacy, GP surgery or urgent treatment centre is the right place.

This guide is about NHS services in England. Services and rules are different in Scotland and Wales.

Call 999 now if someone has:

  • signs of a heart attack, such as chest pain that feels tight or squeezing, or that spreads to the arms, neck or jaw
  • signs of a stroke, such as a face dropping on one side, not being able to lift both arms, or slurred speech
  • severe difficulty breathing, such as gasping or choking
  • heavy bleeding that will not stop
  • a seizure (fit) for the first time, or one that lasts longer than 5 minutes
  • passed out and is not responding, or has suddenly become very confused or drowsy
  • a serious injury, or signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as a swollen mouth or throat

Do not drive yourself to A&E. If you are not sure whether you need 999 or A&E, use NHS 111 to find out what to do.

Which service for what?
  • 999Heart attack or stroke signs, heavy bleeding, life at risk
  • A&ESerious injuries and life-threatening emergencies
  • Urgent treatment centreSprains, suspected broken bones, cuts, rashes
  • NHS 111You need help now and do not know where to go
  • GP surgeryThings that can wait for an appointment
  • PharmacyCoughs, colds, sore throats and medicines advice

NHS 111: when you need help today but it is not an emergency

Use NHS 111 online, the NHS App or call 111 if you think you need medical help now and do not know where to go. 111 online is for people aged 5 and over. Call 111 if you need help for a child under 5.

111 asks about your symptoms and tells you where to go. It may tell you to go to A&E, an urgent treatment centre, an out-of-hours GP or a pharmacist, or to look after yourself at home. Through 111 online you may be able to book an arrival time at an urgent treatment centre. Depending on your symptoms, you may get a call back from a nurse.

Pharmacy: common illnesses and medicines advice

Pharmacists are qualified healthcare professionals. You can walk in without an appointment for advice on minor illnesses such as coughs, colds, sore throats and aches and pains, and about your medicines.

Through NHS Pharmacy First, most pharmacies in England can also treat 7 common conditions, including sore throat, sinusitis and urinary tract infections in women, and give prescription medicine if you need it.

Find a pharmacy open near you

Urgent treatment centre: minor injuries and illnesses

Urgent treatment centres (UTCs), and some services still called walk-in centres or minor injuries units, help with problems that need attention today but are not life-threatening, such as:

  • sprains and strains, and suspected broken bones
  • injuries, cuts and bruises
  • stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhoea
  • skin infections and rashes, and a high temperature

Many can do tests such as X-rays and blood tests. You do not need to be registered with a GP. You may be able to book an arrival time through NHS 111 online, and people who are more unwell or have a booked time may be seen first. If you go to A&E with a problem that does not need A&E, you may be sent to a nearby UTC.

GP surgery: things that can wait for an appointment

Contact your GP surgery for health problems that are not an emergency, for ongoing conditions and medicine reviews, and for referrals to a specialist. You can book through the NHS App or NHS website, the surgery’s website, by phone or at the surgery. Call your surgery if you need an urgent appointment. When it is closed, use NHS 111.

If you are not registered with a GP, see how to register with a GP surgery.

A&E: serious and life-threatening emergencies

A&E (accident and emergency) departments are open 24 hours a day, every day. They are for serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies. Everyone is assessed first, and the most seriously unwell people are seen first, so if your problem is minor you may wait a long time. Take any medicines you are taking with you.

Not every hospital has an A&E. Each hospital page on this site says whether it has one.

Mental health crisis

If you need help for your mental health urgently, use 111 online or call 111 and choose the mental health option. If someone’s life is at risk, or you cannot keep yourself or someone else safe, call 999 or go to A&E. You can also talk to Samaritans for free, any time, on 116 123.

This guide helps you choose a service. It does not give medical advice. Read more about urgent and emergency care services on the NHS website.

Sources

We checked this guide against these official pages on 22 October 2026.

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