NHS Direct is the name of a telephone and online service provided by the National Health Service in the UK. It was introduced throughout England and Wales in 1999 and 'rolled out' into Scotland (where it is called NHS24) in 2004. You can contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647 in England and Wales, and NHS24 on 08454 242424 in Scotland. NHS Direct is a 24 hour service, enabling the public to access confidential health advice at any time of the day or night. The telephone or phone (Greek: tele = far away and phone = voice) is a telecommunications device which is used to transmit and receive sound (most commonly voice and speech) across distance. ... Online means being connected to the Internet or another similar electronic network, like a bulletin board system. ... The logo of the NHS for England. ... Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location within the British Isles Official language English de facto Capital London de facto Largest city London Area – Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population – Total (mid-2004) – Total (2001 Census) – Density Ranked 1st UK... For an explanation of often confusing terms such as Great Britain, Britain, United Kingdom and England, see British Isles (terminology). ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... Royal motto: Nemo me impune lacessit (English: No one provokes me with impunity) Scotlands location within the United Kingdom Languages English, Gaelic, Scots Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow First Minister Jack McConnell Area - Total - % water Ranked 2nd UK 78,782 km² 1. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

When calling the telephone service, a Call Handler will ask for details of your location, the number you are calling from and the reason for calling, and then will forward your call to a Nurse or a Health Information Advisor as appropriate.

If you are feeling unwell, a Nurse will complete an assessment of your symptoms and direct you to the most appropriate healthcare provider. In some areas of the UK, NHS Direct provides the gateway for out-of-hours access to GP's surgeries and clinics. They do not, however, replace the British emergency service number 999. Many countries public telephone networks have a single emergency telephone number, sometimes known as the universal emergency telephone number or occasionally the emergency services number, that allows a caller to contact local emergency services for assistance. ...

Both the telephone and online services provide health information to the public on a wide range of medical conditions and treatments (such as cancer, diabetes, asthma etc); prescription and over-the-counter medicines; NHS services (such as how to find an NHS dentist, how to register with a GP, complaints procedures, hospital waiting times etc); and can also provide the details of the nearest pharmacy, walk-in clinic etc.

External links

• NHS Direct
• NHS24