You should call 999 in a life-threatening emergency only. Life-threatening emergencies are different for adults and children.
Immediate action required:
Adults
Call 999 or go to A&E immediately for any of the following complaints:
- Signs of a heart attack
Chest pain, pressure, heaviness, tightness or squeezing across the chest - Signs of a stroke
Face dropping on one side, cannot hold both arms up, difficulty speaking - Sudden confusion (delirium)
Cannot be sure of own name or age - Suicide attempt
By overdose or self-harming - Severe difficulty breathing
Not being able to get words out, choking or gasping - Choking
On liquids or solids right now - Heavy bleeding
Spraying, pouring or enough to make a puddle - Severe injuries
After a serious accident or assault - Seizure (fit)
Shaking or jerking because of a fit, or unconscious (cannot be woken up) - Sudden, rapid swelling
Of the lips, mouth, throat or tongue
British Sign Language (BSL) speakers can make a BSL video call to 999.
Deaf people can use 18000 to contact 999 using text relay.
Immediate action required:
Children
Call 999 or take your child to A&E now for any of these:
- Seizure (fit)
Shaking or jerking because of a fit, or unconscious (cannot be woken up) - Choking
On liquids or solids right now - Difficulty breathing
Making grunting noises or sucking their stomach in under their ribcage - Unable to stay awake
Cannot keep their eyes open for more than a few seconds - Blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, tongue or lips
On brown or black skin, grey or blue palms or soles of the feet - Limp and floppy
Their head falls to the side, backwards or forwards - Heavy bleeding
Spraying, pouring or enough to make a puddle - Severe injuries
After a serious accident or assault - Signs of a stroke
Face dropping on one side, cannot hold both arms up, difficulty speaking - Sudden rapid swelling
Of the lips, mouth, throat or tongue - Sudden confusion
Agitation, odd behaviour or inconsolable crying
For further advice, visit the NHS website.
