Worrying health problems and questions can crop up at any time. Minor cuts or burns, a bad bruise, sports injuries, allergic reactions to bites or stings, nights when your baby won’t stop crying and you can’t work out why, the headache that won’t go away.

Incidents where you feel you probably don’t need to call out the doctor or go to the accident and emergency department and it’s not a 999 emergency, but you do need someone qualified and experienced to turn to.

That is why the NHS has set up a 24 hour confidential help line.

Staffed by nurses and trained operators NHS Direct will give you immediate information and friendly advice on what to do and what not to do, any time of the day or night.

Of Course, if they think you might have something more serious, they will advise you on what to do or connect you to 999 if you need an ambulance.

They also have details of other relevant health information services, late night pharmacists and out-of-hours dentists in your local area.

For quick friendly advice keep the telephone number handy, so that at any time, night or day NHS Direct are there to take the worry away.

Calls are charged at national rates. As in the case of 999 calls all are recorded.

The service is also available to those whose first language is not English.

Telephone: 0845 4647

web: nhsdirect.nhs.uk