Evidence-led education
PLUSGBUK / PUBLIC HEALTH19 Sep 2026

Public health

Emergency Help

PlusGBUK is not an emergency service. If someone may be in immediate danger, do not wait for an online article to confirm what is happening.

United Kingdom

Call 999 for a life-threatening medical emergency. For urgent medical help that is not life-threatening, NHS 111 can direct you to an appropriate service. NHS 111 is available online in England and by telephone; arrangements elsewhere in the UK vary.

NHS guidance on when to use 111

European Union

112 is the common emergency number available throughout the EU. It can be called free of charge to reach emergency services.

European Commission information about 112

United States

Call 911 for a medical emergency. For a possible poisoning, US Poison Control provides free expert assistance at 1-800-222-1222. The service is intended for the United States; people elsewhere should use their local poison service or emergency system.

US Poison Control contact information

Information to give emergency professionals

If it is safe to do so, tell emergency professionals what you believe was taken, approximately when, how much may have been involved, what symptoms are present and whether other medicines, alcohol or substances may also be involved. If the identity is uncertain, say that it is uncertain rather than guessing.

Do not delay an emergency call while trying to identify a substance from an image, colour, logo or online description.