Numbers 111,112 & 999 for Emergency Services and SMS (Text) from a mobile.

[Mdaisy]

Hello fellow members,

Please can I post some information (without my Charity hat on) as I have just seen this on Facebook and it is quite worrying as i believe some misinformed First Aid training is also mentioning this.

There has been an Urban Myth circulating (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban... that calling 112 from a mobile is;

a) Quicker to get a response

b) They cannot pinpoint your GPS as you are on a Mobile phone (I believe your mobile only provides a information of a rough area not exact location - I'll try to confirm this)

This is inaccurate information, as the 112 & 999 go to the exact same place and they cannot locate you via GPS. So the advice is where possible to use 999 from a landline as your address does show up on the system or 999 or 112 from a mobile phone (999 is preferred)

Here's some information from Red Cross

redcross.org.uk/en/What-we-...

Emergency SMS

The emergencySMS service lets deaf, hard of hearing and speech-impaired people in the UK send an SMS text message to the UK 999 service where it will be passed to the police, ambulance, fire rescue, or coastguard.

You need to register your phone in advance to be able to use this service via link below;

emergencysms.org.uk/

111

NHS 111 service Call 111 when it's less urgent than 999

NHS 111 is a new service that's being introduced to make it easier for you to access local NHS healthcare services in England. You can call 111 when you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency. NHS 111 is a fast and easy way to get the right help, whatever the time.

NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.

When to use it

You should use the NHS 111 service if you urgently need medical help or advice but it's not a life-threatening situation.

Call 111 if:

you need medical help fast but it's not a 999 emergency

you think you need to go to A&E or need another NHS urgent care service

you don't know who to call or you don't have a GP to call

you need health information or reassurance about what to do next

For less urgent health needs, contact your GP or local pharmacist in the usual way (NHS Choices)

For immediate, life-threatening emergencies, continue to call 999 (as discussed above)

nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSs...

[RockRose]

Thanks Mdaisy, feels valuable to be refreshed on this vital info. Appreciated.

Best wishes Rock Rose

[Mdaisy in reply to RockRose]

No problems RockRose

[Hidden]

Should have called 111 about my foot shouldn't I !?!?

Useful information M and definitely one to pin I think

I never know these days who to call because I always just rang NHS Direct for out of hours advise rather than 999 and the whole number changes have just confused me so thanks very much for this especially the parts about calling from a mobile phone

Wishing you wellness and sedn you healing fluffies {{{{{ M }}}}}

xxx sian

[Mdaisy in reply to Hidden]

Thank You Sian, yes the change from NHS Direct to 111 was a little confusing! I bet loads of people still call it NHS Direct!

i hope it helps to dispel the myth & the SMS bit - Who knew ?! I must admit I didn't. *pulls awkward face

[Hidden in reply to Mdaisy]

The NHS Direct number is still on my phone LOL

[Sewnsew]

I was made redundant from NHS Direct 😟 I dread to think how much it cost to change over to 111 What were the government thinking of?

[TheAuthor]

Thank you Emma, I had not heard of this (112 number?) Not that I would ring it anyway.

Ken x x

[Midori]

I believe 112 is the French emergency number.