COVID-19: More than one million access NHS 111 support for coronavirus
More than one million people have used dedicated NHS online support for coronavirus, NHS England has said.
The update to 111 online was launched on 4 March 2020 in order to help people get quick advice about coronavirus, after a surge of enquiries to the health service about the outbreak.
The service provides people with approved advice and frees up clinical call handlers’ time so they are able to prioritise 111 phone callers experiencing symptoms.
At its peak, the service received more than 210,000 enquiries in a single day.
Professor Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said: “With more than one million people using the new online service, 111 online is helping people to get specific information and advice at the touch of a button, helping to give people quick advice, increase capacity in the NHS and free up clinicians’ time.
“To stay well and help stop the spread, people should wash their hands, cover their mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze and put used tissues in the bin immediately.
New data this week showed that telephone calls to NHS 111 were up by more than a third compared with the same time last year, with an extra 120,000 calls to NHS 111 in the first week of March.
Around 500 additional initial call responders have already been trained, an increase of 20%.
As well as ramping up convenient advice and care options for the public, the health service is encouraging everyone to play their part in slowing the spread of the virus by following public health advice, including washing their hands for longer and more often than normal.
Concerns about the spread of the virus have led to a number of large-scale events being cancelled, including HIMSS20, which was due to take place today in Orlando, Florida.
Disclaimer: Digital Health News is a news service run by a team of journalists. We are not part of the NHS, nor are we affiliated with the NHS or any other healthcare provider in the UK.
As such, Digital Health News is unable able to offer guidance regarding the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. We advise anyone seeking approved medical advice to contact NHS 111 or their local GP surgery.
Click here to access NHS 111 online.
13 Comments
I have a runny nose and a bit of a coughShould I ring 111
Hi Terry,
As we have mentioned in the story and in previous comments, we do not work for the NHS, nor are we affiliated the NHS in any way. We are a publishing company providing a news service – we are not healthcare professionals.
The only advice we can give is to follow approved NHS guidance.
How do u get tested when u cant even get through on the phone,I’ve spent nearly 7 hours on and off calling and not been able to talk to anyone
Nhs 111 is directing people with Covid 19 symptoms to their gp surgery unless they have had contact with a KNOWN covid19 infected person or travelled abroad. I have had close access to 1000 children in the last week and I have a dry cough and feel unwell… so I just go about my daily business. Visit my gp and go and teach in 9 schools as normal??????!!!!!!
Yep it’s shockingly bad
I am a Heart patient also C.O.P.D and minor kidney d. Today an unusualy runny nose appreciate it might be a cold but have a doctors appointment on Friday should I take the test before going? Thanks
Hi Phil. We’re not medical practitioners and as such can’t offer medical advice. Your best bet is to contact NHS 111 by telephone, or using the online service, found here: https://111.nhs.uk/
I am completely unable to get through to the 111 number even for a non corona virus medical problem. It is scary and bewildering that after nearlyxan hour on Saturday I had to give up. Useless line from my experience. 111 needs more staff now to be fit for purpose.
Hi Juliet. Have you tried https://111.nhs.uk/ ?
I am68 and planning to visit Abu Dhabi next week. I had a heart attack last year. Should I travel?
Hi Pauline. We’re not able to offer medical advice – we advise you contact NHS 111 or your GP directly.
This resource might also be useful: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/advice-for-travellers/
Owen the service is failing to prevent spread because you won’t test people that don’t meet your limited criteria, I’ve been ill for 15 days since returning from tenerife, yet advised I’m not a risk and do not meet criteria yet advice is not to attend doctors with symptoms, they said I should, doctors agree with me and will do a phone appointment to prevent the spread being caused by a badly advised service
Hi Clara,
Sorry to hear you are experiencing problems, but to clarify: we do not work for the NHS, nor are we affiliated the NHS in any way. We are a publishing company providing a news service – we are not healthcare professionals.
The only advice we can give is to follow approved NHS guidance.
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