Hywel Dda News Article: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/862/news/49633/
About 111
- 111 is the new free-to-call phone number for residents in Ceredigion to dial if they require urgent healthcare support and advice
- Until now people have had to use different numbers to contact each service. Instead of replacing NHS Direct Wales and GP Out of Hours, the 111 number brings them together with support from additional clinical and non-clinical staff
- People calling 111 will firstly speak to a specially-trained call handler who will ask a series of questions. This will allow the service’s experienced healthcare professionals – nurses and, during evenings, weekends and bank holidays, GPs and pharmacists – to prioritise calls so the most seriously ill are treated first.
- Depending on the urgency of their condition, callers will get a call back from a nurse, doctor or pharmacist during the out of hours period.
- Crucially, call takers are trained to recognise when there is a threat to life. So people who dial 111 but really need an ambulance will be put straight through to the emergency ambulance service.
- The service is being run in partnership between the health board, Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust (WAST) and Welsh Government.
Wi-Fi Calling
We have had some feedback which suggests that not everyone has been able to get through to the new 111 number when using a mobile phone. We think this is because callers are using a feature on their mobiles called Wi-Fi Calling. With Wi-Fi Calling you can call and text whenever you’re on Wi-Fi, even if there’s no phone signal. Unfortunately, this might present a problem if you’re trying to call 111. To turn off Wi-Fi Calling, you’ll need to change the settings in your phone. The process is slightly different for each phone, so please contact your service provider for help on how to do this. Alternatively, you can call 111 from a landline telephone.
For more information about 111 visit the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust website here.
For a list of Frequently Asked Questions about 111, click here.
