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Emergency Services: Misuse

Asked by Calum MillerLiberal DemocratDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 27 October 2025UIN 83602

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help promote public education on the misuse of emergency service protocols, including advice shared on social media on how to manipulate emergency triage systems.

Answered by Karin Smyth

The National Health Service regularly shares information online through the NHS.UK website and on social media about how to access emergency services properly, including accident emergency, 999, 111, general practices (GPs), and pharmacies. The NHS also shares this information through out of home advertising via leaflets and posters in hospitals, GPs, and pharmacies.

The Government is also overhauling the NHS App to make it easier than ever before for patients to take control of their personal healthcare, including the use of NHS 111 online to answer questions and get instant advice or medical help near you.

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