Service detail

 

Our Emergency Department is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, treating patients who have suffered a recent injury or developed a sudden illness.

In line with all A&E departments we use a priority system whereby the most seriously ill patients are seen first. If you do not have an urgent or life threatening illness or injury we may decide to treat you in the Urgent Treatment Centre, which is used for treating minor injuries and conditions. The UTC is run by emergency nurse practitioners and doctors.

Even if you have been referred by your GP, you will need to register at the Urgent Treatment Centre first. Please be aware that although the team may be expecting you, they may not be able to see you immediately.

Before visiting the Emergency Department, please consider whether your condition is urgent or life threatening. Your GP is your first port of call for non-urgent, on-going illnesses or injuries. Using your GP saves time as they know your medical history. Pharmacists are health professionals that give expert, confidential advice and treatment and you don’t need an appointment. 

 

Location

The adult Emergency Department is opposite main reception and can be accessed by foot when entering the hospital from the front of the building using the ambulance entrance.

Find it on a map >>

 

Phone

020 8333 3042 or 020 8333 3043

 

Parking

there is a public car park to the far right of the hospital. Parking charges will apply. 

Read more about parking at our hospitals>>

 

Use the right service

The ED department only treats conditions that need urgent assessment and treatment. If your condition is not an emergency, do not come directly to the ED. You have a number of options:

• Call NHS 111 for health advice about what to do. The service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.
• Go to the Urgent Care Centre. Both of our hospitals have Urgent Care Centres that are open 24 hours a day.
• Call your GP surgery for out-of-hours service. You can get urgent medical care when your GP surgery is closed, including weekends and bank holidays. If you feel you cannot wait until your surgery re-opens and you live in Lambeth, Southwark or Lewisham, contact SELDOC, the out-of-hours GP service on 020 8693 9066.
• Make an appointment to see your GP

Services available

The Emergency Department includes the following areas:

• Resuscitation area
• Major treatment area
• Minor treatment area
• Rapid Assessment Treatment Unit (RATU) - 12 bedded unit for patients who have been assessed by A&E staff as requiring a further period of standard observation and assessment, the result of which may prevent a main hospital admission
• Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) - a designated area away from the main A&E Department run by emergency nurse practitioners and doctors that is used for treating minor injuries and illnesses. The UTC may also advise you to attend other health services to receive medical advice and treatment including your own GP, a pharmacist or other community services such as sexual and reproductive health services.

Our Emergency Department also provides senior accident and emergency staff, triage, nurse practitioners, en-suite x-ray facilities, diagnostics and specialist opinion from all major specialties.