Urgent and emergency care

Only use A&E for life-threatening situations

Please always call 999 if someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.

Genuine, life-threatening emergencies includes [but is not limited to]:

• Loss of consciousness

• An acute confused state
• Chest pain / breathing difficulties / heart attack / cardiac arrest
• Fits / seizures that are not stopping
• Suspected stroke
• Severe bleeding
• Severe allergic reactions
• Severe burns or scalds
• Serious head injuries
• Major trauma such as a road traffic accident or a fall from height

If help has been arranged for you - please don’t call 999 again unless the patient’s condition has deteriorated or you no longer need an ambulance. Estimated arrival times cannot be provided as ambulances are sent to patients with the most life-threatening conditions first.

You can contact emergency services via SMS if you are deaf, hearing impaired or have a speech impediment. Visit the emergencySMS website for more information or to register your phone.

Relay UK - homepage | Relay UK

Not sure where to go for help?

Start with NHS111. You can visit https://111.nhs.uk/ or call 111 any time of day or night, 24/7 days a year. They will direct you to where to get help for your symptoms, if you're not sure what to do.

Make the right choice

Help our emergency services be there for the people who really need them. If your injury or illness is not life-threatening, please use a more appropriate healthcare service.

A&E is not an alternative to a GP appointment. If your GP practice is closed, call NHS 111 for information and advice on what to do next.