999 or 111?
NHS 24 says to call 999 or go to A&E for a life- or limb-threatening emergency. That includes signs of a heart attack or stroke, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, severe injury, seizures, a severe allergic reaction, or if someone has tried to end their life.
Call 111 if you think you need A&E but it is not life- or limb-threatening, if you need support with mental health distress, or if you need urgent care and your GP, pharmacy or dental practice is closed. During normal working hours, contact your own GP for urgent advice. NHS 24 cannot book GP appointments.
What happens when you call 111
A call handler asks who you are, where you are calling from and why. You are then assessed and may speak to a nurse practitioner, dental nurse, pharmacy adviser, psychological wellbeing practitioner or mental health nurse. If needed, you are referred to local NHS services. That can be a phone or video consultation with a clinician from NHS Fife, or an appointment at a Minor Injuries Unit or A&E.
If you are told to expect a callback, it comes from NHS Fife, not NHS 24. If you miss it, a nurse will try up to three times. NHS 24 says its busiest times are 6pm to 9pm on weekdays and 9am to midday at weekends. At busy times you can choose a callback instead of waiting on hold, without losing your place.
Minor injuries and A&E in Fife
For injuries from the past week, use the Minor Injuries Unit at Queen Margaret Hospital, which is open 8.00am to 9.00pm every day and booked through 111. Fife's A&E is at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy. See our Queen Margaret Hospital guide.
Mental health support
- NHS 24 Mental Health Hub: call 111 and choose the mental health option, 24 hours a day, for any age.
- Breathing Space: 0800 83 85 87, a free listening service for people aged 16 and over. It runs 6pm to 2am Monday to Thursday, and 24 hours at weekends from 6pm Friday to 6am Monday.
- Living Life: free telephone and online CBT-based support for people aged 16 and over who are registered with a GP in Scotland and have mild to moderate difficulties. You can refer yourself on 0800 328 9655 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm). It is not a crisis service.
- Samaritans: 116 123, 24 hours a day.
- Childline: 0800 1111, 24 hours a day, for young people under 19.
In an emergency, call 999.
Dental and medicine problems out of hours
For urgent dental problems outside normal hours, call 111, whether or not you are registered with a dentist. If you run out of regular medicine, a community pharmacist may be able to help. See Pharmacies and Pharmacy First.
Accessibility and languages
NHS 24 says you can call 111 through contactSCOTLAND-BSL, the free BSL video relay service, by textphone on 18001 111, through the Relay UK app, or with a free Language Line interpreter. After dialling 111, press 9 to hear recorded messages in Polish, Arabic, Mandarin, Spanish, Romanian, Sorani or Ukrainian.
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Questions people actually ask
When should I call 111 instead of 999?
NHS 24 says to call 111 if you think you need A&E but it is not life- or limb-threatening, if you need support with mental health distress, or if you need urgent care and your GP, pharmacy or dental practice is closed. Call 999 for emergencies such as signs of a heart attack or stroke, difficulty breathing or severe bleeding.
Can NHS 24 book me a GP appointment?
No. NHS 24 says the 111 service cannot arrange appointments at your GP practice. During normal working hours, contact your GP directly.
What are Breathing Space's opening hours?
NHS 24 lists them as 6pm to 2am Monday to Thursday, and 24 hours at weekends from 6pm Friday to 6am Monday. The number is 0800 83 85 87.
Sources and last checked
We last checked every fact on this page against the official sources below on . Services and dates change, so follow the links before you rely on anything here. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.