The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) provides an accident and emergency service across the whole of Northern Ireland, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year.

You can help NIAS and save lives, by ensuring the service is used appropriately.

If you need medical advice or treatment, there a number of options you can consider before dialling 999. These include;

• Talking to your local pharmacist;
• Visiting your GP.

If the situation is urgent, but not an emergency, make your own way to a hospital Accident & Emergency - if you do not have a car consider using public transport or call your local taxi firm. Going by ambulance will not reduce your waiting time.

If you call 999 for an incident that is not an emergency, you could delay someone in real need from talking to an ambulance operator, preventing them from getting an emergency medical response.

When to Call 999
What Happens When you Call 999
Who will Treat You

YOU SHOULD ALWAYS CALL 999 IN A LIFE THREATENING EMERGENCY - IF SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY ILL OR INJURED, AND THEIR LIFE IS AT RISK