On a typical day in the NHS, hospital
Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments
in Gloucestershire will treat more than 500
people. During the winter this is expected to
increase and in December, on average, there
are 15% more emergency admissions than
there are in August.
To help A&E departments to cope effectively it is important that people use them properly and think carefully about whether or not their condition or illness is an emergency. An emergency is a critical or life threatening situation, which may include loss of consciousness, severe breathing difficulties, deep wounds such as stab wounds, severe chest pain or heavy loss of blood.
In most cases, it's obvious if you, or a family member, is seriously ill and needs urgent hospital treatment. If emergency care is required a trip to A&E or a 999 call for an ambulance is the right course of action to take. If patients use the Ambulance Service unnecessarily they may be preventing others with life-threatening conditions from getting immediate care.
If the situation is less critical and you are unsure whether to seek medical help, call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 for advice.
Please remember that hospital A&E departments are designed to
treat emergencies only. Some patients may not be treated in A&E but
instead an appointment will be made with the GP at an appropriate
time.
