Emergency Services at Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Our emergency department (ED) is open to anyone who needs emergency care because of a serious illness or accident, both adults and children.

When you arrive at the ED you will be assessed by a senior nurse. You may have tests or investigations and be seen and treated by other nurses and doctors. Most people go home after treatment, but you may be admitted to a ward or transfer you to another hospital, if necessary.

The Urgent Care Centre (UCC) provides treatment for patients with urgent but not life threatening conditions such as cuts and bruises, mild chest infections, coughs and colds, fever, sickness, vomiting and simple fractures.


Is the ED the right place for me to go for care?

The department only treats conditions that need urgent assessment and treatment. If your condition is not an emergency, do not come to the ED as it is not the best place for you to go for care. You have a number of options:

  • Make an appointment to see your GP
  • Go to the Urgent Care Centre (UCC) –  both Queen Elizabeth Hospital and University Hospital Lewisham have a UCC
  • Call your GP surgery for out-of-hours service. You can get urgent medical care when your GP surgery is closed, including weekends, bank holidays and public holidays. If you feel you cannot wait until your surgery re-opens call your GP surgery and you will hear details of the out-of-hours-service
  • NHS 111 For health advice and reassurance about what to next, call NHS 111. The service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.


Location

The emergency department is location on the ground floor of the main building.


Contact details

Queen Elizabeth Hospital Switchboard 020 8836 6000.


What conditions does the department treat?

Our ED treats all patients who come in regardless of their age or condition. Many people come to the department in an ambulance as an emergency. Your GP may refer you to the ED if you need urgent assessment or treatment that they cannot provide in the community eg. for a suspected stroke or appendicitis. The triage nurse will assess your condition on arrival and decide how quickly you need to be seen.


What services do we provide?

The ED provides the full range of emergency services.


Who are the services for?

The ED provides services for adults and children who need emergency medical treatment.


What else do I need to know?

Patients should be be aware that they will be triaged on arrival at the ED, and a doctor will see them in priority of presenting complaint.