Accident and Emergency/ 999

When to go Accident and Emergency

An Accident and Emergency (A&E) department (also known as Emergency Department) deals with life-threatening emergencies.
 
A&E departments offer access 24 hours a day, 265 days a year. A&E staff include but not limited to A&E nurses and doctors, radiographers, reception staff, porters, healthcare assistance.
 
All medical staff are highly trained in all aspects of emergency medicine.

When to call 999

Call 999 when it is a medical emergency. This is when someone is seriously ill or inured and their life is at risk.
Medical emergencies can include:
 
  • Loss of consciousness
  • An quick onset of confusion
  • Fits that are not stopping
  • Chest pain
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Severe bleeding that does not stop
  • Severe allergic reactions
  • Severe burns

*Call 999 immediately if you or someone else is having a heart attack or stoke. Every second counts with these conditions*
 
Call 999 if you think someone has had a major trauma, such as road traffic accident, a stabbing, a shooting or a fall from a height.

What happens when you call 999

What happens when you call 999
The call handler will ask you some questions, they want to know things like;
  • Location of the emergency (postcode or landmarks)
  • What has happened (main reason for call)
  • Your contact details (in case they need to call you back)
 
Calling 999 does not always mean an ambulance will be sent, if it is safe to do so you may be instructed to make your own way to A&E.
 
If it is a life-threatening emergency, paramedics or a community first responder will be sent to help. The call handler will give you an idea of how long you will need to wait.

*IMPORTANT* - You may be given instructions about what to do while you wait, including how to do first aid. These instructions will come from the call handler.

How to call 111 or 999 if you are deaf or have a hearing/speech impediment

If you are deaf, heard of hearing or have a speech-impairment you can contact us using the emergency text relay service. For more information click here: Contact 999 using Relay UK - How to use Relay UK
 
You need to register before you can use it. If you suffer from a chronic health condition you can prepare a text template and store it in your phone for when you need to use it.
Last updated07 Jun 2024
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