NHS Guidelines

A new NHS 111 online service has been put in place to help people get quick advice about coronavirus, as enquiries to the health service about the outbreak have surged.

The NHS in England is also investing in NHS 111 to increase the capacity of the service, providing additional initial call responders and clinicians to enable more clinical advice to be delivered over the phone. You should use this service if:

• you think you might have coronavirus
• you've recently been to a country or area with a high risk of coronavirus – see our coronavirus advice for travellers
• you've been in close contact with someone with coronavirus

Anyone who meets the above criteria is advised to contact NHS 111, stay indoors and avoid close contact with other people. Donot go to a GP surgery, community pharmacy or hospital.

The latest information for patients is on the NHS website. 

Over the coming weeks many more of us may need to self-isolate at home for a period to reduce this virus's spread.

Everyone can continue to play their part by taking simple steps such as washing hands to prevent the spread of infection and contacting NHS 111 for advice before going to the doctors or A&E if they have any concerns about or show symptoms of Coronavirus.

Washing hands for 20 seconds is at the heart of an expanded public awareness campaign. It reinforces the importance of washing your hands more often - when you get to work or arrive home, after you blow your nose, cough or sneeze, and before you eat or handle food. This should be for 20 seconds, using soap and water or hand sanitiser. You should cough or sneeze into tissues before binning them to also prevent the spread of the virus.