Understanding your health needs

As you get older, you might start making more decisions about your own health. This could include:

• knowing your health conditions and what they mean
• understanding your medication
• going to appointments
• asking questions and saying what you want
• learning how to look after yourself safely

If you find this difficult, you can ask for support from family, carers, or health professionals.

You may be entitled to free NHS prescriptions if you are 16-18 years of age. Check if you can get free prescriptions.

Knowing what to do in an emergency

It’s important to know when you might need urgent help.

You can get help by:

• calling 999 in a life‑threatening emergency
• calling 111 if you need medical advice quickly
• speaking to your GP for non‑urgent issues

If you have a hearing or speech difficulty, there are other ways to contact emergency services, like text relay.