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When to go to A&E

A&E (accident and emergency) is for serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies only. It is also known as the emergency department or casualty.

Life-threatening emergencies are different for adults and children.

Immediate action required: Adults – call 999 or go to A&E now for any of these:

  • signs of a heart attack
    chest pain, pressure, heaviness, tightness or squeezing across the chest
  • signs of a stroke
    face dropping on one side, cannot hold both arms up, difficulty speaking
  • sudden confusion (delirium)
    cannot be sure of own name or age
  • suicide attempt
    by taking something or self-harming 
  • severe difficulty breathing
    not being able to get words out, choking or gasping
  • choking
    on liquids or solids right now
  • heavy bleeding
    spraying, pouring or enough to make a puddle
  • severe injuries
    after a serious accident or assault
  • seizure (fit)
    shaking or jerking because of a fit, or unconscious (cannot be woken up)
  • sudden, rapid swelling
    of the lips, mouth, throat or tongue

British Sign Language (BSL) speakers can make a BSL video call to 999.

Deaf people can use 18000 to contact 999 using text relay.

Immediate action required: Children – call 999 or take your child to A&E now for any of these:

  • seizure (fit)
    shaking or jerking because of a fit, or unconscious (cannot be woken up)
  • choking
    on liquids or solids now
  • difficulty breathing
    making grunting noises or sucking their stomach in under their ribcage
  • unable to stay awake
    cannot keep their eyes open for more than a few seconds
  • blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, tongue or lips
    on brown or black skin, grey or blue palms or soles of the feet
  • limp and floppy
    their head falls to the side, backwards or forwards
  • heavy bleeding
    spraying, pouring or enough to make a puddle
  • severe injuries
    after a serious accident or assault
  • signs of a stroke
    face dropping on one side, cannot hold both arms up, difficulty speaking
  • sudden rapid swelling
    of the lips, mouth, throat or tongue
  • sudden confusion
    agitation, odd behaviour or non-stop crying

British Sign Language (BSL) speakers can make a BSL video call to 999.

Deaf people can use 18000 to contact 999 using text relay.

How to get to A&E safely

If you make your own way to A&E you should:

  • get someone to drive you
  • bring any medicines you take regularly with you, if you can
  • take a mobile phone in case you need to call 999 on the way

When it's not a life-threatening emergency

Urgent treatment centres can help with many of the most common problems people go to A&E for.

If you're not sure what to do, NHS 111 can help

NHS 111 can help if you think you need medical help right now but you're not sure what to do.

If you need to go to A&E, NHS 111 can book an arrival time so they know you are coming. An arrival time is not an appointment but helps to avoid overcrowding. 

Check your symptoms on 111 online, or call 111 to speak to someone if you need help for a child under 5.

What to expect at A&E

A&E departments are open 24 hours a day, every day.

Arriving by ambulance

The ambulance crew will give your details to reception and hand you over to the clinical staff. 

Information:

Arriving by ambulance does not always mean you'll be seen sooner than if you had walked into A&E.

Walking into A&E

You will need to register when you arrive. You'll be asked a few questions, such as your name, address and why you came to A&E.  

Asking for help in another language

If you need help in another language, including British Sign Language (BSL), ask for an interpreter.

Getting help for a disability

If you need help because of a physical or mental disability, let staff know right away. 

Getting an assessment ("triage")

Once you've registered, you will have to wait until you're called for your assessment.

All patients are assessed by a doctor or nurse before any treatment takes place. This is called "triage" and helps the team work out what order to see patients in, so they see the most seriously unwell people first.

Important

A&E departments are currently very busy and you will likely have to wait for some time to be seen.

Self-assessment at the front door

Some A&E departments have a self-assessment tool you can use on arrival. 

The self-assessment tool also helps the team work out what order people should be seen in and where.

If you have used NHS 111 and the hospital knows you are coming, you will not need to use the self-assessment tool.

Treatment, transfer or discharge

What happens next depends on the results of your assessment.

If you are seriously unwell you will be seen by an A&E doctor and referred to a specialist unit or admitted to a ward if necessary.

If you do not need to be seen in A&E you might be sent to a nearby urgent treatment centre or referred to a GP on-site.

In other cases, you might be asked to make an appointment with your GP surgery to request a GP referral.

Some people will be given a prescription and sent home, with instructions on what to do next.

If you are registered with one, your GP surgery will be contacted afterwards with an update on why you went to A&E and any treatment you got while there.

Page last reviewed: 3 February 2023
Next review due: 3 February 2026