Health tools and NHS services

Common questions

Can HealthAnswers diagnose my symptoms?

No. HealthAnswers provides general information only. For personalised advice about your symptoms, use NHS 111 online, speak to a pharmacist, or see a GP. Call 999 in an emergency.

Are these tools free on the NHS?

The NHS 111 online service, NHS service finders, NHS Talking Therapies and NHS App are free to use. Selected external services are clearly named and may have their own eligibility, availability or costs, so check the provider before using them.

What is the PHQ-9 and GAD-7?

They are short questionnaires used in UK primary care to screen for depression (PHQ-9) and generalised anxiety (GAD-7). A high score suggests you should speak to a GP — it is not a diagnosis on its own.

What is the NHS App useful for?

The NHS App lets you order repeat prescriptions, book and manage GP appointments, view parts of your health record and test results, register your organ donation decision, and use 111 online. It is free on iOS and Android. Setting it up needs photo ID once — after that it saves phone calls and queueing for routine requests.

When should I use 111 instead of my GP or 999?

Use NHS 111 (phone or 111.nhs.uk) when you need medical help fast but it is not life-threatening — for example worsening symptoms, out-of-hours problems, or when you cannot get a GP appointment. Call 999 for life-threatening emergencies: chest pain, signs of stroke (face, arms, speech), severe breathing difficulty, heavy bleeding, or loss of consciousness.