"111 call left me feeling reassured at very a worrying time"

I called the 111 service last week in the early hours of the morning as my son have having difficulty breathing. I was making a rattling noise but could still talk (he is 25 years old) so it was urgent but not exactly an emergency. I remembered the 111 number and called that.

We have just had all the windows and doors replaced at our home and there had been a lot of dust around so I thought this might have been the cause of my son’s breathing difficulties, I explained this to the lady on the end of the phone and also gave them details of his epilepsy medication. Because of his medication and the problems breathing they sent an ambulance to the house.

The lady on the phone was very helpful and reassuring and stayed on the line with us. I had to get changed so I gave the phone to my son and he put the phone down. However 15 mins later the lady rang back to say there was a delay with the ambulance but it would be there as soon as it could and asked if we needed any further assistance which I really appreciated. In fact just as she called the ambulance pulled up.

The gave my son some medication through a nebuliser, then because of his medical history they took him to hospital were here was checked out and we have a follow up appointment with the GP.

I was very pleased with the 111 service (harmoni) and the lady on the phone was very chatty, friendly and not rushed (unlike if I had called 999. They, understandably, rush you through all the key details). Sometimes you just need to chat and the 111 call left me feeling reassured at very a worrying time.