Contacting NHS 24 for Deaf/BSL user

Deaf patients/BSL users can contact NHS24 using an app or desktop computer/laptop via Contact Scotland BSL or Text Relay Service

Contact Scotland BSL

Contact Scotland BSL is Scotland’s national BSL video interpreting service offering unlimited calls for all BSL users living in Scotland. It is available 24 hours, 7 days a week. For non-emergency calls, you can use Contact Scotland to contact NHS24: https://contactscotland-bsl.org/

Contact Scotland BSL is now provided by Sign Solutions from 1st December 2025:

Using a desktop computer or laptop

Go to https://contactscotland-bsl.org/ and click on “Call now” for NHS24.

On the website, you can also directly call ContactScotland BSL, Police Scotland, Power Cut? And Social Security Scotland.

Contact Scotland BSL app

Download the app on your smartphone, iPad or tablet.

To learn the BSL app features, go to https://contactscotland-bsl.org/download/ 

Text Relay Service

For urgent medical care, but it is not an emergency, you can get help on NHS 24.

You can use the confidential relay service Relay UK: https://www.relayuk.bt.com/about-relay-uk.html

Relay UK can help people by providing a text-to-speech and speech-to-text translation service.

What do you need to use a text relay service:

  • Smartphone or tablet or iPad
  • Desktop computer or Mac computer

For all versions of the Relay UK app, you have to select how you want to communicate. You will be asked to select your communication preference after you have linked your phone number and before you start using the app. This will help the Relay Assistants to better handle the calls.

You can choose:

  • I’ll be typing and reading (suitable if you’re Deaf/BSL user or hard of hearing)
  • I’ll be typing and hearing (suitable if you’re speech-impaired)
  • I’ll be speaking and reading (use if you hard of hearing and can talk clearly)

You can change your communication preference under “Settings” and “Relay preferences”.

Free Relay UK app using a smartphone or tablet

Download the free Relay UK app on your smartphone,or tablet and link your phone number.

For instructions on downloading the app and linking the phone/tablet, go to: https://www.relayuk.bt.com/how-to-use-relay-uk/download-app.html#iphone

Free UK app for Windows or Mac Computers

For instructions on downloading the app on a computer, go to https://www.relayuk.bt.com/how-to-use-relay-uk/download-app.html  Select Windows 10 PC or Apple Mac computer link.

 

Published: 05/01/2026 15:39