Having an unqualified person going through a list of questions on the computer that doesn't allow for a common sense decision is just not working.
This has happened to me twice now.
Last night ooh dentist phone lines were down. We called hospital reception was advised to ring 111 to give me an appointment.
Called 111. Omg the palaver. Irrelevant questions. Obv their computer said no emergency treatment required. 
i was sobbing in agony. Finally after i told the operator id taken ibuprofen when im not supposed to that i got through to a nurse. She told me to go to A&e 
for a tooth ache!!
At that point i decided just to chance my arm at the ooh dentist which just happens to be at the hosp but is strictly appointment only. Tried their phones on the way over and was finally given an appointment. This was at 10pm.
Had to have emergency root canal treatment and a shed load of antibiotics.
I was given an appointment no quibble.
Previously, my mother had a addisons crisis. I recognise the symptoms and caught early its take to hospital in car but can quickly go to blue light job. Again the situation where operator is unable to make a common sense decision but follow stupid computer protocol. Resulting in me giving up and calling 999.
Its not the operator fault they have to follow protocol but it doesn't allow for out of the ordinary situations.
Dental emergency isnt 111 job but was told they would fax appointment through but it confused their computer and it said no. Cough