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When should you 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. Life-threatening emergencies can be different for adults and children.
When should you call 999
Always call 999 and ask to be put through to the ambulance service if someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk – for example, when the person you are calling 999 on behalf of:
- has experienced a loss of consciousness
- is in an acute confused state and fits that are not stopping
- has persistent, severe chest pain
- has breathing difficulties
- has severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
Emergencies in adults:
- 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
Emergencies in children:
- seizure or fit
- choking
- difficulty breathing
- unable to stay awake
- blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, tongue or lips
- limp and floppy, unresponsive
- heavy bleeding
- severe injuries
- signs of a stroke
- sudden rapid swelling
- sudden confusion
- If your child develops a rash that does not disappear with pressure such as underneath a glass that is rolled across or placed on the rash.
If you or any of you friends and family members are suffering from any of the above conditions please call 999 or attend A&E immediately (please do not drive yourself to A&E if you are the patient and, remember, a 999 call should only be made in a genuine emergency.)
What to expect when you attend A&E?
When you attend A&E you will be asked to sign in at reception. Once booked in, you will be asked to take a seat in the waiting area until a triage nurse calls you through and assesses you.
If you are not deemed to need emergency care, you will be advised on the most appropriate place to go: this may be with your GP, a dentist or at a pharmacy.
Our team prioritise patients based on their clinical need, which may mean that people who arrive after you are seen first.
What should you do if it is not an emergency?
NHS 111
If you’re not sure what to do, visit NHS 111 online or call ‘111’ on your phone to seek initial advice.
GP
Contact your GP for treatment, advice and support for most health issues, including;
- Stomach ache
- Vomiting
- Back pain
- Arthritis
- Ear pain
Pharmacy First
You can now get local, confidential expert advice and treatment for a range of common illnesses such as;
- Diarrhoea
- Painful cough
- Teething
- Runny nose
- Headaches
- Rashes
Self Care
Common illnesses can be treated with a well-stocked medicine cabinet or plenty of rest. These include:
- Hangover
- Coughs
- Colds
- Small Cuts
- Sore Throats
Finding local services
Not sure where your nearest pharmacy, dentist or GP practice is? Find out now via the NHS Choices service directory - Find services near you - NHS