When to go to A&E.

An A&E department (also known as emergency department or casualty) deals with genuine life-threatening emergencies, such as:

  • loss of consciousness

  • acute confused state and fits that are not stopping

  • chest pain

  • breathing difficulties

  • severe bleeding that cannot be stopped

  • severe allergic reactions

  • severe burns or scalds

  • stroke

  • major trauma such as a road traffic accident

Call 999 immediately if you or someone else is having a heart attack or stroke. Every second counts with these conditions.

Also call 999 if you think someone has had a major trauma, such as after a serious road traffic accident, a stabbing, a shooting, a fall from height, or a serious head injury.