NHS 24 is the name of a confidential health advice and information service provided by NHS Scotland. It allows people who feel unwell or those caring for them to obtain advice if it is not convenient or possible to wait until they can visit their general practictioner when the practice is next open. It is not intended as a substitute for obtaining an emergency ambulance service via 999. The service it provides fulfils some similar functions to NHS Direct Wales and the NHS 111 scheme in England.