Out of Hours Service

111 – A NEW NUMBER FOR URGENT HEALTH CARE

People in County Durham and Darlington can now call 111 when they need help fast, but it isn’t a 999 emergency.

111 will get you through to a team of fully-trained advisers supported by experienced nurses, who will assess your symptoms and then put you directly in touch with the people who can help.

Whether you need an out of hours doctor, a district nurse, a 24 hour chemist or an emergency dentist, the 111 team will make sure you get the right help first time.

If we think you need an ambulance, we will send one immediately – just as if you had originally dialled 999.

The NHS 111 service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year across the County Durham and Darlington areas. Calls from landlines and mobile phones are free – just like 999.

So remember: call 111, when it’s less urgent than 999.

In an emergency telephone 999

for an ambulance or paramedic.

What services will be provided?

The Out of Hours GP Service provides urgent health services when the surgery is closed in the evenings, at night, at weekends and on public holidays.

Your GP out of hours service will be available:

- Friday	From 6pm to 8am the following morning.
Weekends	From 8am on Saturday to 8am on Monday morning.
Bank Holidays	From 6pm the night before the public holiday until 8am the day after.

What will happen when I call?

	Your first contact with the Out of Hours GP Service will be with an experienced receptionist. They will ask you some questions and will ensure that a GP or other appropriate health care professional calls you back promptly.
	When you get the return telephone call you may receive advice, or you may be asked to attend a face-to-face consultation with an appropriate health care professional at the Urgent Care Centre at Bishop Auckland General Hospital.
	Please remember that in most cases it is best to see your own GP in working hours, and this service should only be used for urgent conditions that cannot wait until your own surgery is open.

How will I get to the Urgent Care Centre?

You will need to make your own way to the Urgent Care Centre. Transport may be provided in certain circumstances.

What about home visits?

	A home visit will only be made if it is considered necessary by a health care professional. Home visits are usually only made to the terminally ill and the permanently bed bound.
	All other patients should be seen in the well equipped centre where the best of care can be provided.

Additional help available to you out of hours

	You can also get health advice and information 24 hours a day by calling:
	NHS Direct is a confidential service. You can ring for nurse advice if you are feeling ill and are unsure what to do, or for health information on particular conditions such as diabetes and allergies.
	NHS Direct can also tell you where to find you nearest doctor, pharmacist, dentist or support group.

Access to Emergency Services

To enable everyone to get the best out of NHS services, please note the following:

Only use the local hospital accident and emergency department (A&E) for emergencies or accidents which require specialist medical care

If you need dental care you should call your own dentist. However, if you do not have a dentist or have a dental emergency call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47

Only call 999 in an emergency

Using A&E when you do not need it may interfere with the care of those who have life threatening conditions.

A&E services are provided from 

Darlington Memorial Hospital	01325 380100
University Hospital of North Durham	0191 333 2333

(Click on headings for more details)