111
Available 24/7 for non-emergency medical help
Phone or online. For when you are not sure what to do and the condition is not life-threatening.
7
Conditions treated via Pharmacy First
Including earache, sore throat, and urinary tract infections — no GP appointment needed.
NHS App
Prescription ordering, test results, GP records
Available on iOS and Android. Many people who struggle to get GP appointments are not using it.
Free
Prescriptions for people aged 60 or over
No form, no application. Age 60 is the qualifying criterion on its own.
What the NHS covers — and what it does not
The NHS in England provides most medical treatment free at the point of use. GP appointments, hospital treatment, A&E, emergency care, mental health services, maternity care — all free.
But not everything is free. Some services are charged, and some are means-tested.
Dental treatment: NHS dental treatment is charged in three bands. Most adults pay something. Some people are exempt — children, pregnant women, new mothers, people on certain benefits. See /nhs/dental for the full picture.
Optical: NHS sight tests are free if you are under 16, under 19 and in full-time education, aged 60 or over, have been diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma, or are on certain benefits. If you do not meet these criteria, you pay for a private sight test.
Prescriptions: charged per item for most adults in England. But a large proportion of people qualify for free prescriptions — children, people over 60, pregnant women, and those on certain benefits among them. The Prepayment Certificate can reduce costs significantly for people who pay regularly. Full details at /nhs/prescriptions.
Private treatment: this is a completely separate system from the NHS. If you choose private treatment, you pay for it yourself or through private health insurance. Choosing private care does not affect your NHS entitlement.
Which service to use — the decision that confuses most people
The NHS has several different access points. Using the wrong one wastes your time and creates unnecessary pressure on services that need to be available for more urgent cases. Here is the practical guide.
999 — life-threatening emergencies only. Chest pain. Suspected stroke. Serious accident. Difficulty breathing. Severe bleeding. Loss of consciousness. If you are not sure whether to call 999, call 111 and they will tell you.
111 — not sure what to do, or need advice quickly. Available by phone or at 111.nhs.uk, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A trained adviser will assess your situation and direct you to the right service — which may be A&E, urgent treatment, a GP, a pharmacy, or simply advice to manage at home. For anything that feels urgent but is not clearly life-threatening, 111 is the right first call.
A&E (Accident and Emergency): for serious injuries and illnesses that are not immediately life-threatening but need urgent specialist care. Suspected broken bones. Deep cuts that need stitching. Head injuries. Serious eye injuries. Severe chest infections. Not for GP appointments you could not get.
Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC): deals with less serious injuries and illnesses that still need treatment today. Sprains and strains, minor burns, minor cuts needing stitches, insect bites, earache. No appointment needed. Walk in. Usually faster than A&E for minor conditions.
GP: non-urgent illness, ongoing conditions, mental health concerns, repeat prescriptions, referrals to specialists. You need to be registered to access your GP's services. If you have not registered yet, see /nhs/register-gp.
Pharmacy: for minor illness and injuries. Pharmacists can advise on a wide range of conditions and have access to prescription medicines for some of them via the Pharmacy First scheme.
Pharmacy First — seven conditions treated without a GP appointment
Since 2024, community pharmacists in England can treat seven common conditions without you needing a GP appointment first. A pharmacist can prescribe an appropriate treatment on the spot.
The seven conditions covered by Pharmacy First include earache (ages 1–17), sore throat, sinusitis, urinary tract infection (women 16–64), shingles, impetigo, and infected insect bites. Verify the current list at nhs.uk as it may be updated.
This is worth knowing because most people have never been told about it. If you are struggling to get a GP appointment for one of these conditions, your pharmacist may be able to help immediately.
The NHS App
The NHS App is available on iOS and Android and works with your NHS login. It gives you access to your GP health record, lets you book and cancel GP appointments at participating practices, and allows you to order repeat prescriptions without calling the surgery.
You can also view your test results in the app once they have been processed and shared by your GP.
Many people who say they cannot get GP appointments are not using the NHS App. Not all practices enable all features, but most now support repeat prescriptions and appointment booking through it. Download it from your app store and link it to your NHS account.
What is not free on the NHS
Prescriptions: charged per item for most adults in England. Free for those who qualify — see /nhs/prescriptions for the full exemption list and the Prepayment Certificate.
NHS dental treatment: charged in three bands based on the complexity of the treatment. Band 1 covers examination, diagnosis, and preventive advice. Band 2 covers fillings, extractions, and root canal treatment. Band 3 covers crowns, dentures, and bridges. Charges change each April — verify current amounts at GOV.UK. Some people are exempt: children, pregnant women, new mothers within 12 months of the birth, and those on certain benefits.
Sight tests: free for qualifying groups. Charged for everyone else.
Some fertility treatment: access to IVF on the NHS is governed by NICE guidelines but local ICB (Integrated Care Board) funding decisions vary. Some areas fund more cycles than others. NHS fertility treatment is not universally available in the same way emergency care is.
Cosmetic procedures: not funded by the NHS except in specific clinical circumstances.
Wigs and fabric supports: charged in most cases, with exemptions for certain groups.
Plain guides to NHS access, costs, and services — practical information when you need it.
Common questions about the NHS
What is the difference between A&E and an Urgent Treatment Centre?▾
A&E handles serious injuries and illnesses that need specialist, often consultant-level care: suspected fractures, severe head injuries, major lacerations, serious infections. An Urgent Treatment Centre handles less serious conditions that still need same-day treatment: minor cuts, sprains, earache, minor burns. UTCs are often faster for minor conditions. If you are unsure which to use, call 111 first.
Can I use the NHS if I have just moved to the UK?▾
Most people who are ordinarily resident in England are entitled to free NHS treatment. Ordinary residence generally means you live here and intend to stay. Some services are subject to overseas visitor charges for people who are not ordinarily resident. Registering with a GP is the practical first step — you do not need to provide proof of immigration status to register.
Can I go to A&E without seeing a GP first?▾
Yes. A&E is a walk-in service. You do not need a GP referral or an appointment. For very minor conditions, you may wait a long time and be directed elsewhere. For anything that could be serious, do not let the absence of a GP referral stop you from going.
Is the NHS App free?▾
Yes. The NHS App is free to download and free to use. You need to create an NHS login and verify your identity, which takes a few minutes. Once set up, you can access your health record, book appointments, and order repeat prescriptions. Available on iOS and Android.
What is the Pharmacy First scheme?▾
Pharmacy First allows community pharmacists in England to assess and treat seven common conditions without you needing a GP appointment first. The pharmacist can supply a prescription medicine where appropriate. Conditions covered include earache, sore throat, sinusitis, urinary tract infection, shingles, impetigo, and infected insect bites. Verify the current list and eligibility criteria at nhs.uk.
How do I register with a GP?▾
Find a practice accepting new patients using the NHS website's GP finder, complete their registration form (usually online or at reception), and wait to be confirmed. You do not need proof of immigration status to register. For a full guide including what to do if no practice near you is accepting patients, see our register with a GP page.
Do I have to pay for NHS prescriptions?▾
Most adults in England pay a charge per prescription item. But many people are exempt — including those aged 60 or over, those under 16, pregnant women, people on certain benefits, and those with certain medical conditions. If you pay for prescriptions regularly, the NHS Prepayment Certificate may save you money. Full details at /nhs/prescriptions.
What is 111 and when should I use it?▾
NHS 111 is a free telephone and online service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Use it when you need medical help or advice and it is not a 999 emergency. A trained call handler will ask questions about your symptoms and direct you to the right service — whether that is a GP, urgent treatment, a pharmacy, A&E, or simply home care. Visit 111.nhs.uk or call 111.
Can I choose my own GP practice?▾
You can register with any GP practice that has capacity and whose catchment area includes your address, or that accepts patients from outside their usual area. If you have a strong preference for a particular practice, contact them directly. If no local practice is accepting patients, NHS England can assign you to one. More detail at /nhs/register-gp.
Is mental health treatment free on the NHS?▾
Yes. NHS mental health services are free at the point of use. You can self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies (formerly IAPT) for conditions like anxiety and depression without needing a GP referral — search for your local service on the NHS website. For more complex mental health needs, a GP referral to specialist services is usually the route. Waiting times vary considerably by area.
Explore related pages
- →Register with a GPHow to register, what to do if no local practice is accepting patients
- →NHS Prescription ChargesWho pays, who is exempt, and how to save with a Prepayment Certificate
- →BenefitsBenefits that include free prescriptions, dental treatment, and other NHS cost exemptions
- →Pension CreditPension Credit unlocks free NHS dental treatment, prescriptions, and more