What is NHS 111 Wales and How It Can Help You Stay Well This Winter

NHS 111 Wales NHS Visit 111.WALES.NHS.UK or call Get expert healthcare advice Your first step if you re feeling unwell or aren

Winter can be tough on your health, and finding the right care can feel overwhelming. NHS 111 Wales offers practical advice on what to do next and can guide you to the most appropriate service, whether that’s self-care at home, a pharmacist, GP, or urgent care.

NHS 111 Wales is the free way to contact the NHS in Wales from landlines and mobile phones, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This winter, NHS 111 Wales aims to make it easier for people to plan ahead, manage minor illnesses, and access the right care quickly and safely.

You can access the service online at www.111.wales.nhs.uk or by calling 111. It provides expert healthcare advice and helps you find the right care when you need it.

NHS 111 Wales is encouraging the public to:

Get your flu vaccination if you’re eligible

Keep basic medicines at home for minor illnesses

Plan ahead by ordering prescriptions early

Stay connected with family and friends for your mental wellbeing

The NHS 111 Wales website also offers expert advice on various illnesses and conditions, plus self-help tools including a virtual chatbot (ALBOT) to answer questions and guide you to the right care.

If you can’t find what you need online, you can call 111 for expert advice.

Using NHS 111 Wales can make a big difference. Trained healthcare professionals can help you avoid unnecessary trips to Emergency Departments or your GP, reducing pressure on busy frontline services by directing you to the most appropriate service for your need. For example, Pharmacists provide a range of services under the common ailments scheme which means they can assess and prescribe the appropriate treatment for many common illnesses, meaning a GP appointment isn't always necessary.

If you are feeling unwell this winter and not sure what to do or where to go, visit https://www.111.wales.nhs.uk or call 111.

How NHS 111 Wales Can Help You Avoid the Winter Vomiting Bug

NHS 111 Wales provides free 24/7 expert healthcare advice, throughout winter they are advising the public on how to prevent and manage norovirus - better known as the winter vomiting bug.

Norovirus can spread fast in homes, schools, and care settings, causing unpleasant symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, and body aches.

Whilst most people recover at home within a few days, there are also simple prevention steps you can take to protect yourself and others that NHS 111 Wales sets out:

Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water (hand sanitising gels don’t work against norovirus)

Disinfect surfaces with bleach-based cleaners

Wash contaminated clothes and bedding at 60°C

If you catch the bug, ensure you:

Rest and drink plenty of fluids

Stay off school or work until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least 2 days. This is when you're most infectious

Take paracetamol for discomfort

Do not visit hospitals or care homes during this time

The NHS 111 Wales website also offers expert advice on various illnesses and conditions, plus self-help tools including a virtual chatbot (ALBOT) to answer questions and guide you to the right care. If you can’t find what you need online, you can call 111 for expert advice.

Jeremy Miles, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care said: “If you have symptoms of Norovirus please stay away from hospitals and other health care facilities to stop the spread of this nasty bug. NHS 111 Wales can provide professional advice and guidance to support you through this and other illnesses.”

Using NHS 111 Wales can make a big difference. Trained healthcare professionals can help you avoid unnecessary trips to Emergency Department or your GP, reducing pressure on busy frontline services by directing you to the most appropriate service for your need. For example, Pharmacists provide a range of services under the common ailments scheme which means they can assess and prescribe the appropriate treatment for many common illnesses, meaning a GP appointment isn't always necessary.

If you are feeling unwell this winter and not sure what to do or where to go, visit https://www.111.wales.nhs.uk or call 111.

Babies and Older Adults at Risk of Chest Infections – How to Look After Them This Winter with NHS 111 Wales

NHS 111 Wales is warning families to stay alert as cold weather and seasonal viruses drive up cases of chest infections – particularly among babies and older adults with underlying conditions such as asthma, COPD, or diabetes.

Chest infections can quickly escalate, leading to serious complications and, in some cases, emergency hospital care. Vulnerable groups, including adults over 75, are most at risk.

NHS 111 Wales is advising the public on how to prevent chest infections, recognise symptoms early, and understand when to seek urgent help.

If it’s not an emergency, calling 111 or visiting 111.wales.nhs.uk can provide expert guidance and direct you to the right care – avoiding unnecessary trips to Emergency Department or your GP.

NHS 111 Wales provides free 24/7 expert healthcare advice, throughout winter they are advising the public on preventing chest infections, recognising symptoms and knowing when to seek help. This is particularly important for babies, adults over 75 is those with conditions such as asthma, COPD or diabetes.

Tom Fallon, Specialist Clinical Lead for Respiratory at Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust said: "Our NHS Wales 111 service is prepared to support people who have concerns about their breathing as we head into winter. If you live with a long-term condition such as asthma or COPD, we want to help you access the right care as early as possible. Acting sooner can prevent complications such as hospital admission, pneumonia, or other associated health problems.

“We’re working closely with our fantastic colleagues at Asthma & Lung UK, who offer an excellent suite of resources through their ‘With You This Winter’ platform. You can find these resources at: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/withyouthiswinter”

“If you have COPD or you or your child have Asthma, it is important to ensure you have an up-to-date action plan, so you’re prepared in case you become ill this Winter. NHS Wales has also developed a suite of apps that can be used to support you to manage your symptoms. They can be found at: Healthhub – Understand and manage your symptoms on a day-to-day basis “

NHS 111 Wales is advising the public how to avoid catching and spreading infections, including:

Wash hands regularly with soap and water

Keep babies away from people with cold or flu symptoms

Clean surfaces and toys frequently

Stay home if you’re unwell to avoid passing infections on

NHS 111 Wales also provides helpful advice on who should get vaccinated to protect themselves this winter, explaining:

Flu vaccinations are recommended for those over 65, those with long term health conditions or those with caring responsibilities.

COVID-19 vaccinations are recommended for those over the age of 75.

Adults aged over 75, pregnant women and babies should be offered the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination. Please check with your local provider about this.

NHS 111 Wales sets out the symptoms to look out for including:

Fast breathing or difficulty breathing

Wheezing or persistent cough

High temperature

Poor feeding in babies

Feeling very unwell or confused in older adults

Using NHS 111 Wales can make a big difference. Trained healthcare professionals can help you avoid unnecessary trips to Emergency Department or your GP, reducing pressure on busy frontline services by directing you to the most appropriate service. For example, you might be able to see a pharmacist within the hour instead of waiting days for a GP appointment.

Always call 999 in an emergency if:

You or your child have severe difficulty breathing — gasping, choking, unable to speak or sucking in between or around the ribs on every breath.

You or your child are very drowsy, floppy, or cannot wake up or stay awake.

You or your child’s lips, skin, or nail beds look unusually pale, bluish, or grey. For darker skin tones, check areas such as the palms, nail beds, or inside the lips.

Your child is under 5 years old and has a temperature below 36°C.

You or your child feel very cold, have mottled or blotchy skin, or show signs of confusion or disorientation.

If you are feeling unwell this winter and not sure what to do or where to go, visit www.111.wales.nhs.uk or call 111.

03/02/26