Accessing urgent care
Emergency department
Our emergency department (A&E) is extremely busy.
All emergency departments use a priority system where those patients with life-threatening conditions are seen first.
Please visit an emergency department or call 999 for life-threatening emergencies only such as:
All emergency departments use a priority system where those patients with life-threatening conditions are seen first.
Please visit an emergency department or call 999 for life-threatening emergencies only such as:
- Loss of consciousness
- Persistent, severe chest pain
- Breathing difficulties
- Severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
- Acute confused state and fits that are not stopping
Patients with non-emergency problems who attend our emergency department will be treated faster by using an alternative and more appropriate NHS service.
Not only can you can get faster treatment by choosing the right NHS service, but you will help us reduce the pressure on emergency services, so we can help those patients in most need and save more lives.
Call 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk
When you need urgent care but it isn't life threatening, think 111 first. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can call, or for your quickest route to care visit 111.nhs.uk. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.
Visit your local pharmacist
Your local pharmacist can give you friendly, expert advice about over-the-counter medicines that can help with lots of common conditions, and there’s no need for an appointment. Find your nearest pharmacist by clicking here.
Call your GP
If you have an illness or injury that won’t go away, it’s best to visit your GP. You’ll have to make an appointment to get the treatment you need from your GP, but this way you’ll help us reduce the demand on emergency services.
Self care
A lot of common conditions can be treated by you at home. If you’ve got a cold or a sore throat for instance, you should take an over-the-counter medicine and get plenty of rest. We recommend keeping paracetamol or aspirin, anti-diarrhoea medicine, rehydration mixture, indigestion remedy, plasters and a thermometer in your medicine cabinet. That way you’ll be ready for any minor illness or injury that you or your family may suffer. You can get further advice at nhs.uk.
Not only can you can get faster treatment by choosing the right NHS service, but you will help us reduce the pressure on emergency services, so we can help those patients in most need and save more lives.
Call 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk
When you need urgent care but it isn't life threatening, think 111 first. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can call, or for your quickest route to care visit 111.nhs.uk. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.
Visit your local pharmacist
Your local pharmacist can give you friendly, expert advice about over-the-counter medicines that can help with lots of common conditions, and there’s no need for an appointment. Find your nearest pharmacist by clicking here.
Call your GP
If you have an illness or injury that won’t go away, it’s best to visit your GP. You’ll have to make an appointment to get the treatment you need from your GP, but this way you’ll help us reduce the demand on emergency services.
Self care
A lot of common conditions can be treated by you at home. If you’ve got a cold or a sore throat for instance, you should take an over-the-counter medicine and get plenty of rest. We recommend keeping paracetamol or aspirin, anti-diarrhoea medicine, rehydration mixture, indigestion remedy, plasters and a thermometer in your medicine cabinet. That way you’ll be ready for any minor illness or injury that you or your family may suffer. You can get further advice at nhs.uk.
Last updated26 Feb 2024