Using NHS services

83 questions about using NHS services, asked in November 2026.

Led with the right place

16 of 18 answers

Led with the right place

Got the NHS facts right

162 of 167 answers

Got the NHS facts right

54 of 55 answers

Got the NHS facts right

55 of 56 answers

Got the NHS facts right

53 of 56 answers

Cited NHS or accredited sources

197 of 229 answers with sources

Cited NHS or accredited sources

56 of 74 answers with sources

Cited NHS or accredited sources

72 of 81 answers with sources

Cited NHS or accredited sources

69 of 74 answers with sources

The questions

Question

The NHS says

AI Overviews

AI Mode

ChatGPT

my 2 month old has a temperature of 38

111 or urgent GP

●More urgent on ChatGPT

I suddenly can't see out of one eye

A&E or 999

my 4 month old has a bad cough with whooping sound after coughing fits, what should I do

111 or urgent GP

●Not up front on AI Mode

my 12 year old has a shingles rash on her back, does she need to be seen

111 or urgent GP

My dad is having chemotherapy and has a painful blistering rash that looks like shingles. How urgent is it?

111 or urgent GP

How long do I wait for results after tests for womb cancer?

A few weeks

I'm having a mental health crisis but not in immediate danger, who should I call for urgent help?

Get help today

How many days before I run out should I order my repeat prescription?

5 working days

●Different on ChatGPT

How long should I wait for another injection in the same arm after BCG?

Wait 3 months

●Different on ChatGPT

macmillan support line number

0808 808 00 00

–

how much is a prescription in England

£9.90 per item

Should I drive myself to A&E if I think I need to go?

Do not drive

How much does a filling cost on the NHS in England?

Band 2, £76.60

Not sure if I need 999 for my 3 year old, who do I call?

111 if under 5

At what ages do babies get the whooping cough vaccine in the 6-in-1 jab?

At 8, 12, 16 weeks and 18 months

Dentist says I must go private so my child can be seen on the NHS, is that allowed?

No, must not ask

Can I use NHS 111 online for my 3 year old or do I have to phone?

Online from age 5

Can I self refer to NHS talking therapies at 17 in England?

Age 18 or over

If my prescription has 3 medicines on it, do I pay once or three times in England?

Pay per item

Which travel vaccines can I get free on the NHS?

Yes, at GP surgery

How do I buy a prescription prepayment certificate by phone in England?

0300 330 1341

Can I get ketone testing kit free on the NHS for diabetes?

Free or pharmacy

What is the Tommy's midwife helpline number and when is it open?

0800 014 7800

–

Can I refer myself to a weight loss service without seeing a GP?

Can self-refer

Macmillan helpline number for someone just diagnosed with kidney cancer

0808 808 00 00

–

What is the phone number for help with health costs for glasses and eye tests?

0300 330 1343

Should I drive myself to A&E with severe sudden stomach pain?

No, call 999

Do I need to see my GP first to get NHS talking therapies for anxiety while pregnant in England?

Yes, self-refer

Do I have to pay for a rabies vaccine before going abroad or is it free on the NHS?

No, you pay

Can I book an appointment at an urgent treatment centre through NHS 111 online?

NHS 111 online

–

Can I refer myself to NHS talking therapies for postnatal depression without seeing a GP? I'm 28.

Age 18, or 16

Should I take my 3 year old to the GP or pharmacist for a sore throat?

See a GP

Can I get cosmetic teeth whitening on the NHS or do I have to pay privately?

Usually private

I need medical help today but it's not life-threatening, who do I contact?

Call or use 111

Can I still get the MenACWY jab at 20 before starting university?

Ask GP until 25th birthday

Are childhood vaccines compulsory in the UK?

Not mandatory

I'm 15 and feel really low, is there a free number I can ring that won't show on my phone bill?

0800 1111, free

Do I have to pay for an emergency NHS dentist appointment as an adult?

Most pay

Can I use Right to Choose to get an ADHD assessment at a private clinic on the NHS in England?

Yes, if offers NHS

Is A&E open 24 hours a day on weekends and bank holidays?

Yes, 24 hours

How often should I be invited for an NHS Health Check if I'm 45 and healthy?

5 years, 40 to 74

I'm over 40 and never had a cholesterol test. Can I ask my GP for one?

Ask GP if over 40

Is there a helpline for womb cancer from the Eve Appeal?

0808 802 0019

–

I can't find an NHS dentist taking new patients near me, who can I contact to help?

Contact local ICB

Should I drive myself to A&E if I think I have a blood clot on my lung?

Do not drive

What is the Macmillan helpline number for cancer support?

0808 808 00 00

–

I'm on a low income but not on benefits, can I get help paying for the dentist?

Possible help with cost

I'm a 30 year old woman and not pregnant, can I get UTI treatment from a pharmacist without seeing a GP?

Pharmacist for suspected UTI

My baby missed her 6-in-1 jabs. How old can a child still get the vaccine?

Up to age 10

Where can I get a free blood pressure check near me if I'm over 40?

Free from age 40

Can I contact NHS talking therapies myself without seeing my GP? I'm 25 and live in England

Aged 18 or over

Can I be admitted to a mother and baby unit without a referral from a health professional?

Healthcare professional must refer

Do I need a GP referral or appointment to go to a sexual health clinic?

No GP referral

Can I refer myself for talking therapy for depression without seeing a GP?

Self-refer, no GP

Do I need to be registered with a GP to go to an urgent treatment centre?

No GP or address

What is the phone number for the Fibromyalgia Action UK helpline?

0300 999 3333

–

I've run out of my repeat medicine and the GP is closed, how do I get an emergency supply?

111 online service

What age do kids get the 4-in-1 pre-school booster UK?

3 years 4 months

Can I get an NHS Health Check at 38?

Ages 40 to 74

Who can I complain to if I'm unhappy with my optician and don't want to speak to the practice?

Local ICB

Does an NHS dentist have to give me a written treatment plan for Band 2 treatment?

Band 2 or 3 plan

What is the number to call 111 using text relay if I'm deaf?

18001 111

Does calling 999 always mean an ambulance will be sent?

Not always

Liver UK helpline number for cirrhosis support

0800 652 7330

–

Coeliac UK helpline phone number and opening times

0333 332 2033

–

Can I order my repeat prescription online without phoning my GP surgery?

NHS App or website

My 8 year old broke her glasses. Can I get help with the cost of replacing them on the NHS?

Under 16s

Should I drive myself to A&E with a bad headache and confusion?

Do not drive

Do I need to wait for an invitation to book a covid jab on the NHS?

No invitation needed to book

Where can I go to get bleeding between periods checked?

See GP or sexual health clinic

Can a pharmacist help with dehydration after a stomach bug?

Pharmacist

I forgot to take my diazepam, should I double up next time?

Skip missed dose

Can I drink alcohol while on apixaban?

Yes, as normal

Can I drink alcohol while on rivaroxaban?

Eat as normal

What can a pharmacist give me for dehydration from vomiting and diarrhoea?

No single NHS line

●No UK source on AI Overviews

where can I get the morning after pill for free

No single NHS line

who can get the RSV vaccine

No single NHS line

My toddler fell and hit her head, should I call 111 or go to A&E?

No single NHS line

Can I get a free hearing test at Boots or Specsavers?

No single NHS line

My baby missed her 12 week jabs, what should I do?

No single NHS line

Can I pick up my mum's prescription from the pharmacy for her? What do I need to know about her?

No single NHS line

What illnesses does the 6-in-1 vaccine protect against?

No single NHS line

how to find mental health charities near me

No single NHS line

Matches the NHS Not up frontDiffers from the NHSMore urgentUnconfirmed

Where the answers came from

Answers, of 229 with sources

NHS websiteNHS180

FacebookForum or social media27 GOV.UKUK government23 Macmillan Cancer SupportUK charity8 JAMA NetworkUS health website5

NHS informNHS5

Where the answers came from

Answers, of 74 with sources

NHS websiteNHS53

FacebookForum or social media26 JAMA NetworkUS health website5 YouTubeVideo4 GOV.UKUK government3

NHS informNHS3

Where the answers came from

Answers, of 81 with sources

NHS websiteNHS66

Macmillan Cancer SupportUK charity on the PIF TICK list3 GOV.UKUK government3 MindUK charity on the PIF TICK list3 Cleveland ClinicUS hospital1

Inspire Vision CareUK health company1

Where the answers came from

Answers, of 74 with sources

NHS websiteNHS61

GOV.UKUK government17 Macmillan Cancer SupportUK charity on the PIF TICK list4

NHS informNHS2

Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation TrustNHS2

Greater Manchester Psychological and Autism Service HubNHS1