Tel: 0845 4647 (24 hours)
Web: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

NHS Direct is a 24 hour nurse-led telephone advice and information service and is part of the National Health Service. By calling NHS Direct you and your family have round the clock access to information and advice about health, illness and health services.

In particular if you feel that there is something wrong with you, or someone you are calling about, an NHS Direct nurse will be able to reassure you and:

• Tell you whether the symptoms are ones which can be managed safely at home and advise you on what to do.
• Advise you if you do need to seek further professional help and direct you to the right service at the right time, for instance whether you need to contact your doctor or go to your local hospital's accident and emergency department.

NHS Direct is staffed by experienced nurses who are specially trained to give advice over the phone. They will ask you a series of questions which will help them decide how serious your problem is.

NHS Direct works alongside existing health services. If you want to contact your doctor directly you can still do so. However, if you are unsure, NHS Direct can advise you on what to do.

Calls are charged at local rate. In the interest of patient safety, all calls are recorded.