A new medical telephone service - NHS 111 - went live today in Cambridgeshire, connecting callers to a team of advisers who are supported by experienced nurses and paramedics.

Callers should use the new service if they need medical help or advice urgently, but it is not a life-threatening situation.

The phone team will asked the caller questions to assess symptoms, then give healthcare advice or direct callers to the most appropriate and available local service.

Callers should use 111 if it is not a 999 emergency, they think they need to go to a hospital accident and emergency department, and if they cannot wait for a GP appointment or do not know who to call for medical help.

For immediate, life-threatening emergencies, people should continue to call 999.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group’s clinical lead for NHS 111, Doctor Andrew Anderson, said: “Anyone needing medical help fast, but who doesn’t know where to go should call 111 as the service will give the caller peace of mind.

“If NHS 111 advisers think the caller needs an ambulance, one will be sent immediately. Herts Urgent Care, which is providing the service, is an excellent provider of 111. The service for the people of Cambridgeshire has undergone strict quality assurance testing and approval from NHS England Central Team.”

*Residents in the Peterborough area cannot access the 111 service until after November 28, and should continue to call their GP for non-urgent medical advice.