Northern Trust – New ‘Phone First’ Service

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust have, in recent weeks, launched a ‘Phone First’ service whereby patients who require urgent (not emergency) care can call 0300 123 1 123. 

The Service will improve patient safety in terms of preventing overcrowding and reducing long waits in our Emergency Departments and will also help reduce the risk of Covid-19 infection and transmission.

Do forward this email onto your contacts in the Northern Trust area.

The link contains a downloadable poster for your workplaces.

When you call the ‘Phone First’ service your condition, or that of the person you are calling on behalf of, will be clinically assessed and arrangements made for you to access the most appropriate service to your needs.  This may mean offering you an appointment at the Emergency Department or Minor Injuries Unit, organising further investigations or redirecting you to your local GP or GP Out of Hours.

The service is designed for patients, including children, who are feeling unwell and considering travelling to Antrim Area or Causeway Hospital Emergency Departments, or Mid Ulster Minor Injury Unit with an injury or illness which requires urgent treatment but is not immediately life threatening.

‘Phone First’ operates on a 24/7 basis and is available by calling 0300 123 1 123 or using the Interpreter Now App.

The Trust would encourage everyone, if they have reason to seek urgent care, to please ‘Phone First’ if the condition is not life threatening.

If the situation is critical or life threatening please ring 999 immediately.

We are keen to assist the Trust make the community aware of this service so we would be very grateful if you would share this information via any communication channels you may have.  The attached flyer contains all the relevant information.