Dementia Carers: An Alternative to A&E You Might Not Know (Call 111 First)

When people think of calling 111, they often assume it’s just a step on the way to A&E.

But that’s not always the case.

In this episode, I talk about how 111 acts as a triage service, helping direct you to the right care, whether that’s urgent support, a GP, or something you might not even realise exists.

This episode could really help someone—especially if you’re supporting a loved one with dementia

We cover:

• How 111 can assess and guide you to the most appropriate care
• Why it’s not always a case of “call 111, then go to A&E”
• How you may be referred back to your GP with a guaranteed appointment
• And in some cases, how care can even be provided in your own home for certain conditions

For someone living with dementia, A&E can be a very distressing and overwhelming environment—long waits, unfamiliar surroundings, and lots of noise and activity.

Our health service does have options that, in the right situations, may be a better fit, supporting people to remain in familiar surroundings, with the person they trust, and avoiding unnecessary waiting and queues.

This isn’t about avoiding hospital when it’s needed. It’s about understanding the system a bit better, and knowing what support might be available to help you get the right care for your condition.

By understanding what options may be available, we can have those conversations with the 111 team and see what the best option is for our loved one.