What is an Emergency?

Life threatening emergencies include loss of conciousness, an acute or confused state, fits that aren't stopping, chest pain, breathing difficulties, severe bleeding that can't be stopped, severe allergic reactions, and severe burns or scalds. Call 999.

Call 999 immediately if you or someone else is having a heart attack or stroke. Every second counts with these conditions. Also call 999 if you think someone has had a major trauma, such as a road traffic accident, a stabbing, a shooting, a fall from height or a serious head injury. Always use judgement and try to understand about emergencies before they occur. Meningitis is a serious condition where urgent treatment is of critical importance

Call 999 for emergencies. If unsure or its less than an emergency, call 111 for advice and assistance.

EMERGENCY CARE

Please see the section "When to call 999"  for an understanding of what is a medical emergency.  Further information on some of those situations is included in the section below.

URGENT CARE

Urgent treatment centres are a facility that you can go to  if you need urgent medical attention, but its not a life-threatening situation.  Urgent treatment centres are GP-led and open for at least 12 hours aday every day of the week.  You may be referred to an urgent treatment centre by NHS111 or a GP.  You can also just turn up and walk in.  They are equipped to diagnose and treat many of the most commmon ailments that people go with to hospital A & E departments..