Urgent help

If someone is seriously unwell or injured, or their life is at risk, phone 999 now. Ask for an ambulance and stay with the person until help arrives.

For urgent help that is not life threatening, phone NHS 24 on 111. It is open day and night, every day of the year, and the call is free.

If you are worried about an older person in the Western Isles and it is not a medical emergency, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s social work duty team can advise. Phone numbers for Lewis and Harris and for Uist and Barra are on the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar social work contacts page.

If you are in danger at home, phone the police on 999, or 101 if it is not an emergency. Calls to domestic abuse services are confidential.

If you are not sure how urgent something is, phone NHS 24 on 111 and ask. They would far rather you checked. It is worth keeping these numbers somewhere you can find them quickly.

If you need to talk to someone tonight

• Breathing Space, 0800 83 85 87, evenings and weekends.
• Samaritans, 116 123, any time of the day or night.
• Age Scotland, 0800 12 44 222, weekdays.