NHS online symptom checker deemed ‘important’ by 80% of Welsh residents as part of Government survey

A dedicated online system for checking symptoms can help save North Wales residents time by helping them find the right service. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

NHS 111 online is designed to help people check for a variety of conditions, with advice being issued on the best way they can be treated and access available 24 hours every day. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has changed how the NHS is now used as more options are becoming common, NHS 111 for example being used for information, advice and urgent care. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

In a recent YouGov survey – as part of the Welsh Government’s ‘Help Us, Help You’ campaign – it was revealed that less than a third (32%) of people in North Wales had heard of the service. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Despite this, 80% of those questioned felt it was ‘important’ to have access to the platform.  ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Iwan Griffiths, Clinical Operations Manager for the NHS 111 Wales service in North Wales, said: “The NHS 111 Wales website should be your first port of call when you’re ill or injured and are unsure what to do. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“The directory of services and symptom checkers in particular are an excellent resource for those with common complaints and conditions and who need some advice and guidance about what to do next. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“We had a record number of visits to the website in 2020 which proves how much of an appetite there is for health advice and information, especially in the current climate, and we’re pleased to be able to offer this service. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“If we can help patients with a less serious illness or injury online, then we’re preventing calls to 999 which may not always be appropriate.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

NHS 111 Wales online can help if an urgent medical problem arises. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

For those in North Wales who do not feel confident using the online service, call NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47, or 111 if your query is related to COVID-19. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Use the hashtags #HelpuNiHelpuChi and #HelpUsHelpYou to support the ‘Help Us, Help You’ campaign. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

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