NHS Now vs AskFirst (formerly Ask NHS)

NHS Now allows users across East Leicestershire and Rutland to get self-care advice or find their nearest, most appropriate and most convenient local health service currently open to them at any time of the day or night. The App is time and location aware. This means that users get real-world, real-time details, opening times and directions to a range of their local NHS services. For each type of service, users can ask to see either all locations or those that are open for service at the specific time of using the App. The range of services include: • GP Practices • Pharmacies • Dentists • Urgent Care • A&E Users can choose to see all or only emergency pharmacies. For dentists, users can choose between all or emergency dentists and/or to see only those currently accepting new NHS patients. NHS Now provides information either in a List View ranked by proximity or on a Map. Driving and walking directions can be launched in the device’s native Maps app. For each service, NHS Now provides details of: • Address • Phone Number • Website • Opening Times NHS Now also provides access to self-care advice from the official NHS Choose Better site without leaving the App itself. From the home screen, Users can call 999 or speak to the NHS 111 service for “when you need medical help fast, but it’s not an emergency”.

Trusted AI symptom checker powered by clinically validated medical intelligence. What Ask First does - Helps you assess symptoms through a natural, conversational experience - Provides insight into the urgency of your condition - Offers clear guidance on next steps - Supports better healthcare decisions without replacing medical professionals When to use AskFirst: - Abdominal pain - Back pain - Cough - Cold or flu symptoms - Chest pain - Dizziness - Fever - Headache - Pregnant and vomiting - Rash - Sore throat - Urinary symptoms - General medical questions, "Should I go in for this or not?" Ask First is a symptom checker and guidance tool only. It does not replace professional medical advice. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.