Around 18 million people a year go to accident and emergency (A&E) departments.
In the Healthcare Commission's 2008 survey on A&E, eight out of 10 patients said they'd had a good experience of A&E.
A&E departments assess and treat patients with serious injuries or illnesses. Generally, you should visit A&E or call 999 for emergencies, such as:
- loss of consciousness,
- pain that is not relieved by simple analgesia,
- acute confused state,
- persistent, severe chest pain, or
- breathing difficulties.
If an ambulance is needed, call 999, the emergency phone number in England. You can also dial 112, which is the equivalent for the European Union.
Major A&E departments offer access 365 days a year and 24 hours a day. Not all hospitals have an A&E department.
At A&E a doctor or nurse will assess your condition and decide on further action. You usually have to wait before you are seen, particularly on Friday or Saturday nights. A&E departments try to see, diagnose and treat 98% of people within four hours of arrival.
In addition to A&E departments, other services such as walk-in centres and minor injury units are available. They can treat patients without an appointment. They deal with minor injuries and illnesses.
- Minor injuries units (MIUs) offer assessment and treatment for minor injuries such as sprains and strains.
- At NHS walk-in centres you can see an experienced nurse or doctor (although not all centres have a doctor) without an appointment. They offer advice, assessment and treatment for minor ailments and injuries such as cuts, bruises, minor infections, strains and skin complaints.
- An out-of-hours doctor is always available from 6.30pm to 8am weekdays and all day weekends and bank holidays. Your primary care trust (PCT) is responsible for out-of-hours care. Provision varies in different areas so check first with your local surgery or your PCT. Most surgeries do offer their own out-of-hours service.
- Out of hours dental treatment is also provided by your PCT. Only dental work considered vital that cannot wait until the next working day will be provided.
- Contraception. Emergency contraception can stop you becoming pregnant after having unprotected sex. Two methods are available, the 'morning after' pill and the copper intrauterine device (IUD). The pill can be taken up to 72 hours after sex and is available free from your GP and most family planning clinics. It is also available from pharmacies for £26. The IUD is a plastic and copper device that is fitted into the woman’s womb by a doctor or nurse within five days of having unprotected sex.
- Mental health emergencies. If a person's mental or emotional state gets worse quickly, this can be called a mental health emergency or mental health crisis. In this situation, it's important to get help quickly.
