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What would you do if you were in an emergency in the UK and needed to get out of it? As a new student in a foreign country, it is only prudent to be safe and secure. An emergency can happen at any time, and if you’re in a new country, you might not know what to do. Thankfully, the UK provides an emergency hotline for practically every situation. It is advisable to keep a list of emergency services numbers in the UK if you have few or no connections around you.
What Would You Do During An Emergency In The UK?
If you see a medical emergency, dial 999 from any phone to reach out to the emergency contact in the UK. The national emergency response service in the UK is 999 and 112. 112 is the pan-European equivalent of 999 and is legal in the UK. The call operator will ask you a number of questions as soon as you connect. If the situation is deemed life-threatening, an ambulance will be sent once you contact one of the emergency services numbers in the UK.
You can contact the National Health Service (NHS) on 111 for guidance about what to do next if the medical emergency isn’t life-threatening but is nonetheless urgent. Speaking with a nurse, pharmacist, or general practitioner (GP) or scheduling a face-to-face consultation are possible next steps. Alternatively, you can go to an NHS urgent care centre or your local hospital’s Accident and Emergency (A&E) department.
How Are Emergencies Categorised In The UK?
When you contact emergency services numbers in the UK, dispatchers utilise the following severity categories:
- One: These emergencies are potentially fatal injuries and diseases, such as cardiac arrest. Average Response Time: 7 minutes
- Two: Emergency calls, such as those from stroke victims. Average Response Time: 7 minutes
- Three: Emergency calls, such as abdominal pains or people who can be addressed at home. Average Response Time: 120 minutes
- Four: Non-emergency calls, such as nausea, diarrhoea, or back trouble. Telephone counselling or referrals to other resources are occasionally used to address these issues. Average Response Time: 180 minutes
If you are unable to make a phone call, you can contact emergency phone numbers in the UK through text message; however, you must first register with the emergency SMS service. To register, text ‘register’ to 999.
Fire Services In The UK
If you witness a fire, dial 999 to talk with the fire department, even if the fire is tiny or you’re not certain it’s an emergency. Don’t call your local fire station, and don’t assume that someone else has contacted any of the fire emergency services numbers in the UK.
You will be connected to the fire control room when you call. A fire engine with the proper equipment is despatched from the nearest station. You’ll be asked a series of questions, including the location of the fire (if you don’t know the postcode, use the street name or a nearby landmark instead). The operator will inquire if anyone is stuck within the premises.
Police In The UK
The police in the UK provide a variety of services, ranging from crime prevention to community support. Only call the police on 999 if there is a real emergency. Before evaluating if a situation is an emergency, the police recommend that you ask yourself the following questions:
- Is someone in danger right now?
- Do you require immediate assistance?
- Is it possible that the situation may grow heated or violent?
Antisocial conduct, local drug usage, suspected criminal activity nearby, property damage, or stolen objects are examples of crimes for which you should dial 101. There are also certain speciality emergency services numbers in the UK for specific crimes:
- Anti-terrorist hotline: 0800 789 321 or online
- Action Fraud (for fraud or cybercrime): 0300 123 2040 or online
- British Transport Police (for accidents on trains or tubes): 0800 40 50 40 or online
Health Emergency Services Numbers In The UK
It is not required to dial 999 for minor medical emergencies or accidents. If the problem is serious, dial 111, go to your local hospital’s A&E department or go to an urgent care clinic.
111: This is one of the alternative emergency contact numbers in the UK for addressing health issues. If you dial 111, you will be given advice on how to locate the best local service to assist you with your medical problem.
A&E: A&E departments are common at large hospitals in the UK. In theory, A&E is reserved for more catastrophic situations including loss of consciousness, stroke, chest discomfort, breathing difficulty, or severe burns.
Power & Outage Services In The UK
Interestingly, if your power goes off, you may phone a hotline to inform UK Power Networks. Dial 105 at any time of day or night. If you have an internet connection, you can also monitor a live Power Map for improvements.
Report Scams Hotline
If you receive a call from someone claiming to represent your bank, asking for money or personal information (which might lead to you being scammed), immediately hang up the phone. Then dial 159 to report the call. You will be connected to an operator who will assist you in safely contacting your real bank.
Thank you for reading this blog on Emergency Services Numbers In The UK. If you’d like to read more, here are some blogs that might be of interest to you –
- How To Improve Mental Health
- International Money Transfer For Students – A Guide
- The Importance Of Student Health & Wellness
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