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Accident and emergency (A&E)
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Service overview - Accident and emergency (A&E)
This department is where you will be taken if you have an accident or in the event of an emergency, either by being brought in by ambulance or by making your own way to hospital.
Our A&E departments operate 24 hours a day, every day and have staff who are equipped to deal with all emergencies. Patients are triaged (assessed) and seen in order of need, usually with a separate minor injuries area supported by nurses.
Keeping patients and staff safe in the emergency department
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought extra pressures and challenges for the team in the hospital. So it’s more important than ever to keep our staff and patients safe.
You may not know the NHS has introduced a new system for people needing urgent medical care when it is not a “life or limb threatening” 999 emergency.If you have an urgent medical problem or you’re not sure what to do, just call NHS 111 first and they’ll make sure you get to the best place for you to be seen safely and quickly.
The NHS 111 team has access to clinical experts and if you need to visit the emergency department they can book you a time slot when you should attend.
They’ll also let us know when you’re coming. This means you could avoid a lengthy wait in the waiting room and be seen more quickly.
This is really important because we’ve had to reduce the size of our waiting rooms due to COVID-19 and social distancing. Calling NHS 111 first could mean some people do not need to visit A&E at all. Their needs could be met by visiting a pharmacy or arranging an appointment at their GP practice. The NHS 111 team will advise on the right thing to do.
If you arrive at the emergency department without contacting NHS 111 first, you will still be seen, but you may have to wait longer unless you need immediate treatment.
Keeping patients and staff safe in the emergency department [pdf] 200KB
AttendAnywhere video consultations for patients
We've introduced video appointments to help us carry on seeing patients during the current coronavirus pandemic.
Many of our services are now using this resource. Visit our AttendAnywhere page to find out more and to watch a short video, which will help you understand how these video appointments will work.
Basildon Hospital - Accident and Emergency (A&E)
Accident and Emergency Department, Basildon University Hospital,
Nethermayne, Basildon, Essex, SS16 5NL
Contact
01268 524900 ext 2810 or 2811
Opening times
Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Who the service is for
Adults and children who need urgent treatment and care.
About the service
The Accident and Emergency Department (A&E) provides care for patients who need urgent treatment in a medical emergency or following an accident.
Children are seen in our dedicated children’s area.
Patients are assessed by a nurse on arrival and are treated on a priority basis according to the severity of their illness or injury.
For guidance on when it is appropriate to visit an A&E department, please see the information on NHS Choices.
Waiting times
Waiting times will vary depending on the time of day and the number of patients.
Prescription charges
Unless you are exempt from prescription charges, the current NHS prescription charge will apply per item for any medicines prescribed for you in A&E. You will need to pay this when collecting your medicine from the hospital pharmacy or if your medicine is dispensed in A&E the hospital accounts department will send you a bill.
Some medicines such as paracetamol and ibuprofen can be purchased cheaply in pharmacies or supermarkets. Please tell your doctor or nurse if you wish to purchase your own rather than pay the prescription charge.
Accident and Emergency Department - Children’s area
Accident and Emergency Department, Basildon University Hospital,
Nethermayne, Basildon, Essex, SS16 5NL
Contact
01268 524900 ext 2843
Opening times
Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Who the service is for
Children and young people who need urgent treatment and care.
About the service
The children’s emergency department provides care for young patients who need urgent treatment in a medical emergency or following an accident.
Children may be referred to the children’s emergency department by their GP. Children with long-term conditions may have a direct access appointment.
Children and young people can wait in the separate children’s waiting area.
Children are treated on a priority basis according to the severity of their illness or injury. Waiting times will vary depending on the number of patients and which healthcare team your child needs to see. We aim to assess, treat and either discharge or admit patients within four hours. If you would like an approximate waiting time, please ask a member of staff.
Broomfield Hospital - Accident and Emergency (A&E)
The Emergency Department offers immediate emergency and urgent care to the patients of mid Essex 365 days per year. The department sees approximately 65,000 new referrals per year. Patients either self present to the department or are transferred in by the ambulance service. The department also offers follow-up clinics to some patients who present with certain conditions.
The service is situated on Level 2 in the new hospital wing. Follow the signs from the roundabout at the top of Hospital Approach.
The management team are supported by a group of senior and junior medical, nursing and admin staff.
This includes:
Consultants in Emergency Medicine
Senior and Junior Clinical Fellows
Specialist Registras
Senior and Junior Sisters
Staff Nurses
Health Care Support Workers
Housekeeper
Facilities staff
Medical Secretaries
Reception Staff
Southend Hospital - Accident and Emergency (A&E)
Our accident and emergency department provides assessment, diagnosis and treatment for patients with emergency conditions, serious injuries or illnesses.
The department cannot help with any problems that a GP could otherwise deal with, or with longer term problems (those being looked after by a GP or for which the patient has already been referred to outpatients).
NHS 111
If you become unwell or injured, make sure you choose the right NHS service to make sure you get the best treatment. Click on the side bar for more information or visit https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/about-the-nhs/your-choices-in-the-nhs.
You can call 111 when you need medical help fast but it's not a 999 emergency. NHS 111 is a fast and easy way to get the right help, whatever the time.
NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.
When to use it
You should use the NHS 111 service if you urgently need medical help or advice but it's not a life-threatening situation.
Call 111 if:
you need medical help fast but it's not a 999 emergency
you think you need to go to A&E or need another NHS urgent care service
you don't know who to call or you don't have a GP to call
you need health information or reassurance about what to do next
For less urgent health needs, contact your GP or local pharmacist in the usual way.
If a health professional has given you a specific phone number to call when you are concerned about your condition, continue to use that number.
For immediate, life-threatening emergencies, continue to call 999.