Members of Public

Advice for Members of Public


In England, Scotland and Wales

In an emergency, if the patient has collapsed or is not breathing properly, call 999. The NPIS does not provide poisons information directly to members of the public - so, for routine poisons advice you should contact your general practitioner or telephone NHS 111 (England) or NHS 24 (Scotland) on 111. In Wales you can contact NHS Direct (Wales) on 111 - (currently available in the following health board areas - Hywel Dda, Powys, Aneurin Bevan and Swansea Bay - including Bridgend). If you are outside this area, please call 0845 46 47.


In Northern Ireland

Please contact your local GP or pharmacist during normal hours. During out-of-hours please click here (www.gpoutofhours.hscni.net) for GP services out-of-hours contact details.

In Republic of Ireland

Members of the public seeking specific information on poisons in the Republic of Ireland can contact the National Poisons Information Centre on 01 809 2166.


NPIS have produced a number of leaflets for members of the public which include:

  • Keep your child safe in the garden
  • Keep your child safe in the home
  • Low toxicity substances

These can be accessed in our publications section in the menu bar above.

UKTIS provides information to pregnant mothers on its new website 'bumps' - best use of medicines in pregnancy (www.medicinesinpregnancy.org).



Other Information

Keep Caps from Kids (www.keepcapsfromkids.eu/uk) is an initiative from the detergent industry to promote the safe use of liquid detergent capsules.

RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) exists to "enhance the quality of life by exercising a powerful influence for accident prevention". (RoSPA - www.rospa.com)

If you are worried about a matter relating to an exposure at work then the Health & Safety Executive (www.hse.gov.uk) may be able to help you: phone the HSE information line on: 0345 300 9923.