Patients, Visitors & The Public

A&E at the Countess of Chester Hospital

Our A&E (Emergency Department) is experiencing very high numbersof people attending every day.

Our medical teams prioritise treatment based on someone’s clinical needs and ensure those in the greatest need are seen first.

If you attend our A&E and our clinical teams assess that you do not require emergency care then you will be told where you can access the most appropriate care. 

If you have an urgent but not life-threatening medical need, please visit NHS 111 online or phone 111 before going straight to A&E.

What will happen when you attend our Emergency Department

Everyone who arrives at our A&E is triaged by a member of our A&E team. They will assess you to make sure you get the right healthcare in the right place.

This may mean that, if you are not deemed to need emergency care, you will be advised where the most appropriate place is for you to access the care and treatment that you need. This may be with your GP, a dentist or at a pharmacy depending on your condition.

Our team will prioritise patients waiting in A&E based on their clinical need and the urgency of their condition. This may mean that people who arrive after you might be seen before you.

We know that long waits can be frustrating but if your condition is not urgent then you might experience a lengthy wait to be seen by our medical team.

Should I attend A&E? 

A&E isn’t always the best place for you to receive treatment. A&E departments deal with genuine life-threatening emergencies, such as:

  • loss of consciousness
  • a sudden confused state
  • fits that are not stopping
  • chest pain
  • breathing difficulties
  • severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
  • severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)
  • severe burns or scalds
  • stroke
  • major trauma such as a road traffic collision
  • feelings of self-harm or suicide

You can read more about this on the NHS website here