North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), which manages the region’s 111 health-advice service, is anticipating a busy Easter Bank Holiday weekend, and the following days of industrial action,which will see significant pressure on the NHS.

This comes after the ambulance service offered 39,000 calls to its 111 service during the four-day long weekend in 2022, rising from 27,000 calls during the same weekend in 2021.

In addition, this year, the Easter Bank Holiday will be followed by four days of industrial action by junior doctors, during which time the NHS is expecting significant disruption and it is vital the public are aware of the pressure the health service will be under and know the best way to access care during that time.

Sally Rose, NHS 111 Head of Service in the North West, recommends the public try the online service first at www.111.nhs.uk to get urgent health advice.

The online service works the same as over the phone and is already popular with people who want quick advice about the best options for getting the care they need.  These can include getting a call back from a trained clinician or nurse, booking them an appointment in A&E, or providing advice.

Sally Rose said: “We expect it to be another extremely busy time for our 111 health advisors and clinicians. Over the four-day Easter weekend last year, we triaged almost 39,000 calls. We suspect this year’s Easter weekend is likely to be similarly busy.

“We are prepared for this, but callers may wait longer to get through on the phone at the busiest times. For this reason, we’d recommend using the online service if you can. You answer the same questions and receive the same advice, but it’s likely to be quicker.

“We always receive many calls from people who’ve run out of prescription medication. To avoid this happening, I would recommend everyone to check you have enough of your prescribed medication to get you through the holiday.”

NHS 111 online is not suitable for under 5s.

NHS England North West regional medical director, Dr Michael Gregory, said: “We are extremely grateful to the dedicated teams across the NHS in the North West who will be working hard over the coming bank holiday weekend and the days after to ensure all those that need care receive it.

The NHS 111 online service is definitely convenient for those who can use it.

“The combination of the upcoming bank holiday and the four-day strike planned by junior doctors will create significant challenges for the NHS and it is vital the public are aware of the pressure the health service will be under and know the best way to access care during that time.

“Urgent and emergency care services will be open over the bank holiday and the industrial action period and people should call 999 or attend accident and emergency services in the event of a life or limb threatening emergency. For non-emergency health needs the public should make NHS 111 Online their first port of call.

“It helps to direct people to the right service quickly, as well as providing medical advice.  It’s just one of the ways that we are trying to get people to the right service first time whilst keeping urgent and emergency services free for the most seriously ill and injured patients.”

111.nhs.uk can help you with:

• where to get help for your symptoms, if you’re not sure what to do
• how to find general health information and advice
• where to get an emergency supply of your prescribed medicine
• how to get a repeat prescription
• get emergency dental appointments

You should still ring 999 if you experience:

• signs of a heart attack like pain like a heavy weight in the centre of your chest
• signs of stroke such as your face dropping on one side
• difficulty breathing
• heavy bleeding that won’t stop
• seizures
• or sudden and rapid swelling of the eyes, lips, throat or tongue