Should I go to A&E?

Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments provide urgent treatment for serious and life-threatening conditions. You should only use A&E for medical emergencies where immediate hospital care is needed.

If your condition is not life-threatening, other NHS services may be more appropriate and can help you more quickly.

What is A&E?

A&E is the hospital department that treats people who have:

  • Serious injuries
  • Sudden, severe illness
  • Life-threatening conditions

You may arrive at A&E by ambulance or by making your own way to hospital.

When should I go to A&E?

Go to A&E or call 999 immediately if you or someone else has:

  • Chest pain or suspected heart attack
  • Signs of stroke (face drooping, arm weakness, speech problems)
  • Severe breathing difficulties
  • Heavy or uncontrolled bleeding
  • Serious head injury
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Seizures that do not stop
  • Severe burns
  • Major trauma or accidents

These symptoms may be life-threatening and need urgent hospital treatment.

When should I use another service?

You can find out how to get the right care and support on the NHS Essex website Get the right care and support  - NHS Essex Integrated Care Board

If your condition is not life-threatening, you may get faster help from:

NHS 111

NHS 111 is a free service that provides urgent medical advice 24/7 when it is not a life-threatening emergency and directs you to the right local service.

You can access NHS 111

  • by phone — call 111
  • through the NHS App
  • online (for people aged five and over) https://111.nhs.uk/

Find out more about NHS 111 https://www.essex.icb.nhs.uk/health/support/nhs-111/

NHS.uk

The NHS.uk website helps you find information and services to help you manage your health.

You can use it to find NHS services  https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/

You can also use it to find out about conditions, symptoms, medicines, tests and treatments, including what to do and when to get help https://www.nhs.uk/health-a-to-z/

Your GP

Your local GP practice offers a wide range of NHS services, including:

  • medical advice and diagnosis
  • treatment for illness and injury
  • vaccinations and immunisations
  • routine health checks
  • prescriptions and medicines management
  • support for long-term conditions
  • referrals to other NHS services

Find out about how local GP services can support you https://www.essex.icb.nhs.uk/health/support/gp-services/

Mental health

If you need help now, the East of England Mental Health Crisis Text Service is a free, confidential, text-based service for anyone experiencing emotional distress: anxiety, low mood, loneliness, overwhelming thoughts, or simply needing someone to listen. It's open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and is open to people of all ages, with no referral needed.

You can access the service now by:

You can also call NHS 111 mental health option or if there is an immediate risk to life, call 999.

Find out more about emergency mental health support for adults, children and young people https://www.essex.icb.nhs.uk/health/support/mental-health-learning-disability-and-autism/

Dental services

If you need urgent dental care, there are two ways you may be able to access an urgent dental appointment:

Contact a participating dental practice – Some dental practices offer urgent appointments that you can book directly. Check which practices are participating and contact them to ask about availability. Visit www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-dentist 

Contact NHS 111 – NHS 111 can assess what help you need and, where appropriate, book you directly into an urgent dental appointment.

Do not contact your GP practice for dental emergencies, as they cannot provide dental treatment.

Only attend A&E for dental-related problems in serious circumstances, such as:

  • Severe injury to the face, mouth, or teeth
  • Rapidly increasing swelling affecting breathing, swallowing or speech
  • Serious trauma following an accident

For most dental problems, NHS 111 or a dentist is the right first contact.

NHS.uk advice about toothache

Find out more about dental serviceshttps://www.essex.icb.nhs.uk/health/support/dental-services/

Eye care services

NHS.uk advice on what to do if you have a red eye https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/red-eye/

NHS.uk advice on floaters and flashes in the eye https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/floaters-and-flashes-in-the-eyes

If you are experiencing:

  • red eye
  • eye pain
  • flashes or floaters
  • changes in vision
  • foreign bodies in the eye
  • eyelid conditions

you may be eligible to access the minor eye conditions service who provide specialist assessment for urgent or newly developed eye problems. Visit www.primaryeyecare.co.uk to check.

Seek urgent medical advice if you experience:

  • Sudden loss of vision
  • Severe eye pain
  • Serious eye injury
  • Chemical exposure to the eye
  • Sudden flashes of light or many new floaters
  • A painful red eye with reduced vision

Contact NHS 111 for urgent advice, or attend A&E in an emergency.

Find out more about eye care services https://www.essex.icb.nhs.uk/health/support/eye-care-services/

MSK (muscle and joint) problems

NHS.uk advice on joint pain https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/joint-pain/

If you are over 18 with a GP in the mid and south Essex area and experience aches, pains or movement problems like:

  • back or neck pain
  • sprains or strains
  • joint pain or stiffness
  • pain after an injury
  • muscle aches
  • reduced movement

you can refer yourself to Cora Health for direct access to expert MSK care without a GP referral. Visit www.corahealth.co.uk/referrals or call 01268 904 102.

Your local pharmacy

Pharmacists are highly trained healthcare professionals who can help you manage everyday health needs and stay well.

They can support you with:

  • managing minor illnesses and symptoms at home
  • choosing suitable over-the-counter medicines
  • understanding when to seek further medical help
  • preventing illness and improving wellbeing
  • using medicines safely and effectively
  • building confidence in self-care

Find a local pharmacy https://www.essex.icb.nhs.uk/health/support/pharmacy/

Sexual health

Sexual health services in Essex provide free, confidential STI testing, contraception, HIV prevention and advice. Support is available online, in clinics and in your local area.

Sexual health services can help you:

  • prevent and treat sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
  • access contraception to prevent unplanned pregnancy
  • get emergency contraception when needed
  • access HIV testing, prevention and treatment
  • receive confidential advice and emotional support
  • protect your health and the health of others

Find out more about sexual health services near you https://www.essex.icb.nhs.uk/health/support/sexual-health-essex/ 

Basildon hospital A&E - referral to pharmacy services

If you go to our emergency department in Basildon with a minor illness, we will assess you to see if you’re suitable for a new community health support option. This will be for minor conditions, such as sprains, tummy upsets or red eyes, for example.

Once you've been assessed by our triage nurse, and if you meet the criteria, you might be referred directly to a local pharmacy for an urgent consultation.

This speeds up care for you and reduces the pressure on our emergency department.

Last published