When to call 999
Ambulance services are stretched, and people are understandably reluctant to call. The following are not borderline. If any of them applies, call — the crew would far rather attend and stand down than arrive too late.
- Chest pain lasting more than 15 minutes, or with sweating or nausea
- Any single FAST sign, however brief — including one that has resolved
- Difficulty breathing, or breathlessness at rest
- Loss of consciousness, or a first-ever seizure
- Severe bleeding that does not stop with firm pressure
- Sudden, severe headache described as the worst ever
- Signs of anaphylaxis — swelling of lips or tongue, wheeze, collapse
What happens when you arrive
A senior nurse assesses you before any paperwork. Registration happens afterwards, or with a relative.
Life-threatening presentations go straight to resus. You will be told your category and roughly what it means.
An emergency medicine consultant is on the floor 24 hours a day — not on call from home.
If you are admitted it is to a bed in this building, under a named consultant.
Waiting times, honestly
Our 95th percentile wait to be seen currently runs at four hours, against our own internal target of three. That is published on the outcomes page along with everything else, and it is the metric we are least happy with.
What that number does not capture: patients arriving by ambulance with a pre-alert are seen immediately, and nobody in a life-threatening category waits. The four hours is largely walk-in patients with lower-acuity presentations.
What to bring
- A list of your current medication, or the boxes themselves
- Any allergy information
- Your GP's name and practice
- Glasses, hearing aids and a phone charger if you might be admitted
Bringing someone with you
One person can stay with you throughout, including in resus in most circumstances. If you have a communication need, a learning disability or dementia, tell the triage nurse straight away — we will arrange for your companion to remain with you.