Life-threatening emergency?
If someone is in immediate danger or has a life-threatening medical emergency, call 999.
CALL 999Health Information, NHS Services & Patient Support
This hub keeps the detailed information from the original Right First Time UK NHS section and reorganises it into clear public-help routes. It covers urgent care, GP services and hospital services, mental health support, children's health, carers, disability, medicines, dental and eye care, screening, continuing healthcare, patient rights, NHS complaints, help with health costs and NHS transparency.
Urgent but not an emergency?
NHS 111 can help people get the right advice or treatment for urgent physical or mental-health needs.
USE NHS 111Find an NHS service
Search for GPs, hospitals, pharmacies, dentists and other NHS services.
FIND NHS SERVICESProblem with NHS care?
Understand complaints, PALS, advocacy, ICBs and escalation routes.
NHS COMPLAINTS HELPUseful Current NHS Routes
NHS 111 — 24 hours a day
NHS England says NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. People aged 5 and over can use NHS 111 online, or anyone can call 111 free from a landline or mobile.
OPEN NHS 111NHS complaints
NHS England says people have the right to complain about NHS care, treatment or services. Complaints can usually be made to the provider or the commissioner, but not both for the same complaint.
NHS COMPLAINTSHelp with health costs
The NHS has routes for help with prescriptions, dental treatment, sight tests, glasses or contact lenses, and some healthcare travel costs for eligible people.
HEALTH-COST HELPNo matching NHS guide was found. Try a shorter search term.
Get Help Now & Find NHS Services
Emergency & Urgent Care
Call 999 immediately if someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.
OPEN GUIDEGP Services
A GP practice may only refuse registration for limited reasons, such as living outside its practice boundary (unless it accepts out-of-area patients) or if it has formally closed its…
OPEN GUIDEHospital Care
Ask for a copy of the referral letter if you need it for your records.
OPEN GUIDECommunity Health Services
Official NHS community services: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/
OPEN GUIDENHS & Health Support Directory
You must normally be registered with a GP in England and aged 13 or over to use the full service.
OPEN GUIDEChildren, Families & Carers
Children's Health & Wellbeing
Babies should have regular health checks, feeding support, immunisations, and monitoring for growth, development, hearing, vision, sleep, and safety. Parents can ask for help from:
OPEN GUIDECAMHS — Children & Young People's Mental Health
Ask your local NHS trust or GP practice how CAMHS referrals work in your area.
OPEN GUIDECarers & Family Support
A carer is someone who gives unpaid support to a family member, friend or neighbour because of illness, disability, mental health needs, addiction, frailty or age.
OPEN GUIDEMental Health, Neurodiversity & Long-Term Conditions
Mental Health Support
Mental health affects thoughts, emotions, behaviour, relationships, learning, work, sleep, confidence and physical health. Mental health difficulties are common and can affect children,…
OPEN GUIDENeurodiversity & Health Support
Neurodiversity means people’s brains can work in different ways. Neurodivergence may include autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia/developmental coordination disorder, Tourette syndrome,…
OPEN GUIDEDisability & Long-Term Conditions
Disability can include physical disability, sensory loss, learning disability, autism, ADHD, mental health conditions, chronic illness, chronic pain and neurological conditions. A…
OPEN GUIDEEveryday Health & Prevention
Physical Health
Physical health includes prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term management of conditions affecting the body. NHS.uk has a Health A-Z for symptoms, medicines,…
OPEN GUIDEHealthy Living
Healthy eating supports energy, growth, immunity, mood, heart health and long-term wellbeing.
OPEN GUIDEHealth Checks
The NHS Health Check is available to eligible adults aged 40 to 74 in England who do not already have certain diagnosed long-term conditions. It helps identify the risk of:
OPEN GUIDEScreening & Vaccinations
Screening is offered to people without symptoms to identify those who may have a higher chance of developing certain conditions.
OPEN GUIDEDental, Eyes, Hearing, Medicines & Pharmacy
Dental Health
NHS dentists provide clinically necessary dental care to help keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy.
OPEN GUIDEEye Health
Cataracts happen when the eye lens becomes cloudy. Symptoms may include blurred vision, glare, faded colours and difficulty driving at night. Treatment may involve cataract surgery.
OPEN GUIDEHearing & Ear Health
Seek urgent assessment if hearing suddenly disappears or rapidly worsens in one or both ears, especially if accompanied by dizziness or tinnitus.
OPEN GUIDEMedicines & Pharmacy
Community pharmacies provide much more than dispensing medicines.
OPEN GUIDEWomen's, Men's & Older People's Health
Women's Health
Contact your GP, midwife or local maternity service as soon as you know you are pregnant. Maternity care usually includes booking appointment, scans, blood tests, screening, mental…
OPEN GUIDEMen's Health
A PSA test is a blood test that can help check for prostate problems, including cancer or enlarged prostate. It is not a perfect screening test, so ask your GP to explain benefits, risks…
OPEN GUIDEOlder People's Health
Healthy ageing means supporting independence, safety, dignity, physical health, mental wellbeing, social connection and quality of life.
OPEN GUIDECare, Recovery & Specialist Support
Rehabilitation & Recovery
Rehabilitation helps people regain independence, movement, communication, confidence and daily living skills after illness, injury, surgery or long-term health changes.
OPEN GUIDESocial Care & NHS Continuing Healthcare
Adult social care supports adults who need help because of disability, illness, age, mental health needs, frailty, sensory impairment, addiction, homelessness, or caring responsibilities.
OPEN GUIDESpecialist NHS Services
Specialist services provide expert assessment, diagnosis and treatment for conditions that require specialist knowledge, equipment or multidisciplinary care.
OPEN GUIDERights, Costs, Complaints & Advocacy
Patient Rights & Advocacy
The NHS Constitution for England sets out patients’ rights, NHS pledges, NHS values, and public responsibilities. NHS bodies and NHS-funded providers must take account of it.
OPEN GUIDEFinancial Help With Health Costs
Always carry valid evidence if required and ensure any exemption claimed is correct.
OPEN GUIDENHS Complaints & Accountability
The NHS Constitution for England gives every patient the right to:
OPEN GUIDENHS Systems, Waiting Lists & Transparency
NHS Health & Wellbeing Guide
You can also use your NHS account/NHS App if you are aged 13 or over and registered with a GP surgery in England. It can help with repeat prescriptions, test results, NHS messages, and…
OPEN GUIDENHS Trusts, ICBs, Waiting Lists & CQC
Healthcare is devolved. Each UK nation has its own NHS structure, performance publications, complaints process and inspection arrangements.
OPEN GUIDENHS Public Access & Transparency Dashboard
NHS England says patients have the right to complain about any aspect of NHS care, treatment or service, and that right is written into the NHS Constitution.…
OPEN GUIDEPATIENT SAFETY — MARTHA'S RULE
Worried a Hospital Patient Is Getting Worse?
Martha's Rule is being implemented in adult and children's acute inpatient services in England so patients, families, carers and staff can request a rapid review when deterioration concerns are not being responded to.
When it can help
Raise deterioration concerns with the care team first. If you remain worried and feel they are not being addressed, Martha's Rule can provide access to a rapid review from a different team where available.
No single national phone number
Hospitals use their own Martha's Rule arrangements. Check the trust website, hospital posters or ask ward staff for the local contact number.
Not a second opinion
NHS England says Martha's Rule is a deterioration escalation route, not the ordinary process for seeking another opinion about a diagnosis or treatment plan.
2026/27 roll-out
NHS trusts are implementing the three core components across acute inpatient services. The NHS Standard Contract requires implementation by 31 March 2027.
NHS England — Martha's RuleFor an immediate life-threatening emergency, use the emergency route rather than waiting for a complaint or escalation process.