In this section
Our Accident & Emergency (A&E) Departments are currently very busy
We are currently seeing very high levels of attendance at our A&E departments.
All patients in our A&E / Emergency Departments are seen in order of clinical priority, so if you attend with a minor ailment or condition then you will be waiting longer than our more seriously ill patients.
If your condition is not an emergency and you need medical advice or support then please call 111, or visit 111.nhs.uk. NHS 111 can help you right away and, if needed, a healthcare professional will call you.
It is critical that our Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments are able to help the the patients who really need them.
Many people visit A&E when they could have been seen by a different healthcare professional. By finding the right person to talk to, you will get the most appropriate treatment.
Before going to A&E, think about whether you should visit:
- A dentist – emergency dental care services are available for those in pain requiring emergency treatment.
- A pharmacy – this can be a quick way of accessing medical help and advice as you don’t need an appointment and you can speak to your pharmacist in confidence.
- Your GP – if it is a condition that your pharmacist cannot treat, or for diagnosis and treatment of illnesses, prescriptions, medical examinations, and referral to specialist services, visit your GP.
- A walk-in service – you do not need an appointment to visit an urgent care centre, minor injuries unit or walk-in centre.
If you still need to go to A&E
Remember that A&E should only be used in extreme circumstances. If you access A&E inappropriately, you may be turned away and directed to another NHS service.