Emergency Medicine

Who is the Emergency Department for?

The Emergency Department (ED) is for people with serious illnesses or injuries that require immediate medical attention.

If someone is critically ill or injured and needs an ambulance, call 999 immediately.

Who Works in the Emergency Department?

The Emergency Department is staffed by a wide range of highly trained professionals, including:

• Consultants in Emergency Medicine
• Doctors
• Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs)
• Emergency Nurse Practitioners (ENPs)
• Physician Associates (PAs)
• Qualified Nurses experienced in caring for adults, children, and people with mental health needs.

You may also meet:

• Assistant Practitioners
• Healthcare Support Workers
• Medical and Nursing Students (always supervised)
• Children’s Play Specialists
• Support staff including receptionists, porters, domestic staff, security personnel, and Emergency Department (ED) trackers.

Our staff wear different uniforms to help you identify their roles. Please refer to the uniform guide on display.

What to Expect When You Arrive

• Arrival by Ambulance: Paramedics will alert ED staff about your condition ahead of your arrival.
• Walk-in Patients: Check in at reception. You’ll then be assessed by an experienced nurse in a process called triage, which helps determine how quickly you need to be seen. Pain relief may be offered if appropriate.

Next steps:

• You’ll be seen by a doctor, ACP, ENP, or PA, who may recommend tests, treatments, or a referral to a specialist (e.g. medical, surgical, or orthopaedic).
• If your GP has referred you to a specific specialist, the triage nurse will notify them and may place you on their waiting list.
• If your condition requires further monitoring, you may be admitted to a ward for observation and additional care.

Waiting times

We aim to keep waiting times as short as possible. However, during busy periods, delays may occur—especially when staff are attending to patients with life-threatening conditions.

• The triage nurse will give you an estimated waiting time.
• You may not be seen in strict arrival order; some patients are prioritised based on clinical need or referral route.
• If you’re scheduled to see an ENP or GP, you may receive an appointment time and be asked to return shortly before it.

Even if the waiting room appears quiet, staff may be treating critically ill patients in other areas.

If your condition worsens or you need assistance, please speak to a member of staff.

Clinical Decision Unit (CDU)

The CDU is part of the Emergency Department and includes:

• 2 Trollies and 12 chairs
• A space for patients to be monitored while awaiting treatment, test results, or hospital transport.

You may be moved to CDU for observation or while waiting to go home after treatment.

Zero Tolerance Policy

Wythenshawe Hospital has a zero-tolerance policy for violence, aggression, or abuse towards staff.

We work closely with hospital security, Greater Manchester Police, and on-site special constables. Some staff wear body cameras, which may be activated during incidents to ensure the safety of patients, visitors, and staff. Abuse of any kind will not be tolerated.

Contact

Reception:

• Telephone: 0161 291 6003
• Telephone: 0161 291 6004

Location

The Emergency Department is located in the Acute Block, Purple Zone, approximately 50 yards to the left of the hospital’s main entrance, near the visitors’ car park. Look for the ED’s dedicated entrance before reaching the main hospital doors.