It is difficult to predict how long you will wait as this depends on the number of patients attending the department, and the seriousness of their conditions.
You should be informed of the approximate length of time that you will wait or of more relevance, how many patients are waiting before you. Priority is given to those patients who need immediate attention.
We ask that people who need urgent NHS care contact NHS 111 either by phone or online before they decide to walk in to A&E.
Please note that arriving in an ambulance does not mean that you will necessarily be seen quicker, as you will still be re-assessed and prioritised on arrival. Patients already referred by their GP to another speciality may still sometimes have to wait in the Emergency Department, if their ward bed is not immediately available.
We aim to see, assess, start treatment and either arrange admission or discharge patients within a maximum of four hours of arrival.
During your stay in the department it may be necessary to take blood tests and arrange X-rays. These have to be ordered, processed and have their results reviewed by your doctor and this may in turn extend your stay.
