Emergencies are, by definition, unexpected. Here's the information you should know before you need it.

999 — When to Call

Call 999 for life-threatening emergencies only: chest pains, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, major trauma, house fire, or violent crime in progress. For London, 999 connects to Metropolitan Police, London Ambulance Service, or London Fire Brigade depending on your response. Give your address clearly — say the postcode (NW3) and a nearby landmark if possible.

NHS 111 — Medical Non-Emergencies

For urgent medical concerns that are not life-threatening, call 111 (free, 24/7). The 111 service can: give clinical advice, direct you to the most appropriate care, book you an emergency GP appointment or Urgent Treatment Centre slot, and send an ambulance if the assessment indicates it's needed. For most situations that feel urgent but not immediately dangerous, 111 is the right first call — faster and more appropriate than A&E for many presentations.

The Royal Free A&E

The nearest emergency department is at the Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street NW3 2QG. Open 24/7. Nearest tube: Belsize Park. For non-life-threatening conditions, ask about the Urgent Treatment Centre within the same building — often faster.

Police — Hampstead Station

Hampstead Police Station on Rosslyn Hill is a local police point. For non-emergency policing matters (including reporting crimes that have already occurred), call 101 or report online at met.police.uk. For crime in progress, always call 999.

Dental Emergencies

For dental emergencies outside surgery hours, call NHS 111 — they maintain a list of emergency dental services and can make referrals. Several dentists on Hampstead High Street offer emergency same-day appointments for existing patients; call your own practice first.

Mental Health Crisis

Samaritans: 116 123 (free, 24/7). Crisis Resolution Home Treatment Team (Camden): 020 3317 6333. Shout text service: text SHOUT to 85258. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.

## The hospitals that matter for Hampstead The Royal Free Hospital on Pond Street is the nearest full A&E department — a major teaching hospital serving north-west London, with a 24-hour emergency department. From Hampstead tube it's a seven-minute walk down Rosslyn Hill; from the village centre, ten minutes. If you need emergency care and can walk, walk there. Ambulances respond from Belsize Park fire station (three minutes typical response time) and from the Royal Free itself. The Royal Free also holds specialist units — hepatology (nationally significant), nephrology, infectious diseases, and a dedicated stroke unit. A&E waiting times have averaged four to six hours in recent years; if your condition is serious but not immediately life-threatening, the UCLH A&E at Euston (20 minutes by Northern line) is often faster for non-trauma cases. For minor injuries that do not require A&E — sprains, small cuts, suspected fractures — the Royal Free's Urgent Treatment Centre (accessed through the main A&E) is usually faster than the main emergency department. ## NHS 111, GP out-of-hours, and when to use each NHS 111 is the first number for any non-emergency medical question. A trained advisor will assess symptoms and route you to the most appropriate service — GP, pharmacy, urgent care, or A&E. The service runs 24 hours. GP out-of-hours service for Camden and Hampstead operates from the Royal Free site on evenings, weekends, and bank holidays. You book through NHS 111, which refers you for an appointment. Walk-ins without referral are generally turned away. ## Pharmacies for urgent prescriptions Boots on Hampstead High Street is open until 10pm Monday to Saturday, 8pm on Sunday. Paydens on Rosslyn Hill is open until 7pm weekdays, 6pm Saturdays, closed Sunday. For 24-hour pharmacy cover, the nearest is Zafash on Old Brompton Road in Earls Court — about 25 minutes by night bus N31 or taxi. ## Police and fire The nearest police station is Hampstead Police Station on Rosslyn Hill, but its front counter is now closed to the public; for non-emergency crime reporting, use 101 or the Met Police website. Emergencies: 999. Hampstead fire station on Heath Street is a full-time station with two pumping appliances. Response times to the village are typically under four minutes. ## Mental health and crisis support The Camden Mental Health Crisis Line operates 24 hours on 0203 317 6333. For immediate mental health emergencies, A&E at the Royal Free has a dedicated liaison psychiatry team. Samaritans 116 123 is free, 24 hours. ## Dentist emergencies No NHS emergency dentist on-site in Hampstead. The London Emergency Dentist at King's Cross is the nearest 24-hour private option; 020 7078 4444. For NHS emergency dental, NHS 111 will refer you to the nearest available slot, which is usually at the Eastman Dental Hospital in Bloomsbury. ## Important practical notes Keep the Royal Free's main switchboard in your phone: 020 7794 0500. Keep your GP's out-of-hours number on a fridge magnet — most Hampstead GP practices have a standard recorded message that gives the current on-call service. For anyone with a serious long-term condition, register a My Care Passport with the Royal Free so your records are available if you arrive unconscious.