General knowledge · Evidence-backed
10 things to know about the NHS UK
The NHS UK is the public-facing name for the National Health Service in England, with its main website at nhs.uk. Here are 10 things to know about how the NHS UK website and its associated services work, from Health A to Z and NHS 111 to the NHS App and NHS England.
10 key facts about the NHS UK website and services, including NHS 111, the NHS App, NHS login, vaccinations and NHS England.
The NHS website for England has a Health A to Z
The NHS website for England is the official public-facing health portal. Its Health A to Z section covers conditions, symptoms, medicines, tests and treatments, including guidance on when to get help. The site is designed to help people manage their health and find services. It is the main online entry point for NHS information in England, linking to practical advice and service search tools.
NHS 111 helps when you are not sure what to do
NHS 111 is the service to use when you are worried about a symptom and are not sure what help you need. It can tell you what to do next. You can use the 111.nhs.uk website or call 111. The service is intended for non-emergency situations, helping people avoid unnecessary trips to A&E while still getting timely advice.
Call 999 for life-threatening emergencies
For a life-threatening emergency, the NHS says to call 999. The NHS website and NHS services pages both direct people to find their nearest accident and emergency service and call 999 if they think it is an emergency. This is the most urgent level of NHS contact, distinct from NHS 111 and routine GP or hospital services.
Vaccination information is available for all ages
The NHS website has a dedicated vaccinations section with information about vaccinations for babies, children and adults. It explains why vaccinations are important and how to get them. This includes routine childhood jabs, adult boosters and seasonal vaccines. The section is part of the NHS's public health role in preventing disease.
COVID-19 advice is published on the NHS website
The NHS website provides advice about COVID-19, including symptoms, treatments and how to avoid catching and spreading it. This guidance is kept on the main NHS site as a condition-specific page. It is intended to help people understand what to do if they have symptoms and how to protect others.
The NHS Baby guide covers caring for a baby
The NHS website includes a Baby guide covering everything you need to know about caring for a baby. It is aimed at new and expectant parents and provides practical information on feeding, development, health and safety. The guide is part of the NHS's commitment to supporting families from birth.
Women's health has a dedicated NHS section
The Women's health section of the NHS website offers information and support on health, wellbeing, conditions and screening. It covers a range of topics relevant to women at different life stages, including reproductive health and preventive checks. The section is designed to make it easier to find trusted NHS advice.
Contraception information includes where to get it
The NHS website has a contraception section with information about different types of contraception, including where to get them and how well they work. It helps people compare methods and understand effectiveness. The page is part of the NHS's sexual health information offer and links to local sexual health services.
The NHS App lets you manage healthcare online
The NHS App online service lets you view your health information and manage your healthcare online. You can request repeat prescriptions, check test results, read messages from the NHS, and book and manage appointments. You do not need to download anything to use these services, as they are available through the NHS App website.
NHS App users must be 13 or over and registered with a GP in England
To use NHS App services you must be aged 13 or over and registered with a GP surgery in England. This eligibility requirement is stated on the NHS App online login page. It means the service is tied to NHS registration in England rather than available to everyone in the UK.
Every numbered claim above was required to carry source evidence before this topic could be published.