At some point, most people will need to get help because of an accident or a medical emergency. This is more likely if you have children or elderly relatives living with you. Planning ahead and understanding what your options are in an emergency will help you get the best care as quickly as possible.
Your options in an emergency include:
Calling 999
Only call 999 in a critical or life-threatening situation, for example is someone has:
- lost consciousness,
- a suspected stroke,
- lost a lot of blood,
- a deep wound such as a stab wound,
- a suspected heart attack,
- difficulty breathing,
- severe burns, or
- a severe allergic reaction.
For more information on what to do in an emergency, go to Emergency and urgent care services.
If you or someone else is having a heart attack or stroke, call 999 immediately. Every second counts with these conditions. Go to Health A-Z for more information on how to recognise the symptoms.
Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments
Major A&E departments are usually open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. When you go to A&E, a doctor or nurse will assess your condition and decide what action to take. You may have to wait a while before you are seen. A&E departments aim to see, diagnose and treat 98% of people within four hours of their arrival.
Minor injuries units
If your injury is not serious, go to a minor injuries unit (MIU). You could be seen much quicker than in A&E, and it allows staff in A&E to concentrate on people with serious conditions.
There are currently 225 MIUs in England. They are staffed mainly by nurses and you don't need to make an appointment.
MIUs can treat:
- sprains and strains,
- broken bones,
- wound infections,
- minor burns and scalds,
- minor head injuries,
- insect and animal bites,
- minor eye injuries, and
- injuries to the back, shoulders and chest.
MIUs cannot treat:
- children under the age of three,
- chest pain,
- breathing difficulties,
- major injuries,
- problems that are usually dealt with by a GP,
- stomach pains,
- gynaecological problems,
- pregnancy problems,
- allergic reactions,
- overdoses,
- alcohol-related problems,
- mental health problems, and
- conditions likely to require hospital admission.
To find your local MIU, go to Find services.
Plan ahead for an emergency. Go to Find services to find your local A&E department and MIU. Print out the details and keep them where you can see them, such as on your fridge door.
If you have a long-term condition, write down the details of your GP, prescriptions, other medications and any test results. Keep them handy so you can give as much information as possible to the person who provides treatment in an emergency.
Keep a basic first aid kit in your home and ensure that everyone, including children, knows how to use it.
