Somerset has a new health helpline number for providing medical advice to people but this helpline is not a 999 emergency.

The three-digit number is 111 and this can be dialed from mobile phones and landlines for free.

Fully trained call advisors are looking after the service and experienced clinicians are supporting the helpline. Healthcare advice is being offered by trained staff and people are being directed to their local service.

The advice can range from seeing a doctor, going to a walk-in centre or an urgent care centre, going to an emergency dentist or heading towards a late-night chemist for medicine.

Dr Ed Ford, Somerset's Clinical Commissioning Group's NHS 111 lead, said, "We know that it can be confusing for patients to find the right health service when they need urgent medical support. 111 is the number to call if you become ill after your GP surgery has closed or at weekends and Bank Holidays."

She added that the number can be dialed in case a person does not know what health service is needed. The number is easy and anyone can remember it.