The Emergency Department operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and provides a comprehensive emergency service Our ED is one of the busiest in the region
On your arrival to the Emergency Department (ED) you will first be seen by a streaming nurse who will take a brief history of your complaint and then determine the most appropriate area for you to be seen in. This could be Adult ED or Minor injuries, or if you are bringing a child, the Paediatric ED. Alternatively, if the streaming nurse feels your symptoms can be managed by a GP you will be streamed to the on-site GP Service. Some patients who need hospital investigation but not overnight stay, may be streamed to the Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) department. Following streaming you will then be asked to book in at one of the next windows by a receptionist.
You may have already been to see your GP who may have referred you to a specific speciality in the hospital such as medical, surgical, orthopaedics, paediatrics, gynaecology or the psychiatric liaison team. On your arrival these specialities will all be alerted that you are here. You may be seen in the ED or in the specialist’s own assessment area.
You may have been in contact with the NHS 111 before attending. In some cases you are given a time to arrive. You will still be seen by a streaming nurse and need to register at reception. The purpose of the arrival time is to help spread ED demand more evenly. You may still need to wait and will be prioritised in order of your clinical need.
Located within ED we have an experienced mental health team. If your presentation solely relates to mental health concerns you may be seen directly by this team.
Following registration to any of the ED areas you will be called for triage, which is an initial assessment to commence and prioritise care. Observations may be performed. You will also be offered analgesia if required. If you require initial investigations such as blood tests, urine test or heart tracing (ECG) this may be completed by one of the nursing/technician team.
The purpose of initial assessment (or triage), is to prioritise care. Following initial assessment the nurse may escalate your care into one of the trolley areas of ED. For this reason some patients may be seen out of time order.
Alternatively, following initial assessment (or triage) if all of your observations are in a satisfactory range, you may be asked to take a seat back in the waiting area to be called by the doctor. If at any time your symptoms become worse, please let the receptionist or streaming nurse know.
While you are in the waiting area, there may be other patients that are called before you. This does not mean you have been forgotten or you have missed your turn. Patients are called from multiple queues to different areas of the department. It is likely that you will have had to queue to enter the department and then had to wait to see the relevant team. We will try to minimise this where possible.
Pain Management
When you are called for triage by a nurse for assessment please tell the nurse if you require any pain relief. The nurse will need to know what medication you have already taken, what your regular medication is and if you are allergic to any medications. To aid our assessment of your pain you will be asked to score your pain from 0 – 10, 0 being no pain at all and 10 being the worst imaginable pain.
Your pain score should be based on your pain on movement at that time. Should you find it difficult to respond to a scoring system, please ask the nurse who can provide alternative methods of scoring pain, such as a visual scale.
Following your assessment by a clinician, you may be required to remain in the hospital for further treatment and/or an inpatient stay.
Visiting a patient in the hospital
Visiting time is an essential part of the patients stay and visitors are encouraged to spend time with the patients. The Trust welcomes the opportunity to discuss individual needs of patients with carers who will know about a patient’s daily routines, likes and dislikes.
During covid times these terms may vary.
Please see the hospital website for most up to date arrangements.
Visiting times
Wards: Visiting times on wards will be clearly displayed on the entrance to each ward and on the hospital’s website. Visiting outside these times will be by special arrangement with the Ward Manager and in her/his absence the nurse/midwife in charge. This arrangement should be agreed prior to visiting.
Visitors under 16 should be accompanied by an adult.
Share this...
Friends and Family feedback
It is really important for us to receive all patient feedback in order to make improvements to our services. Please could you give us your feedback on your experience in ED
Click to complete a short surveyWere you prepared for the visit today?
Did you feel you were prepared for your hospital visit today? Not many people do. The focus of getting there, whether it is in an emergency or for an appointment, can easily end up with you in a muddle.
Am I Prepared?Related Information
Celebrating the Start of Pride Month: Unity, Love, and Progress
June marks the beginning of Pride Month, a time for the LGBTQ+ community and their allies to come together to celebrate love, diversity, and the milestones…
Read More
Going Green
To reduce our carbon footprint and help the planet, MySelfCare and BOE have joined the Chamber Low Carbon scheme. We’re on track for becoming greenhouse gas…
Read More
The Work Life Balance
A greater demand from the modern day work culture is increasingly having a detrimental impact on our mental wellbeing. Facing this ever increasing pressure is a…
Read More
Part 2 – Delivering Information
This video explores the diverse range of patient information delivery products offered by MySelfCare, providing comprehensive guidance on how to utilise them effectively.
Read More
Introduction Video
Introducing you to MySelfCare and a Quick overview of its features and how it works in the Hospital
Read MoreWas this information useful?
How easy to understand and how useful was the information for you. All feedback is anonymous. If you would like a possible response, please include your email.
How was your visit today?
How well did our staff do today in helping you with your condition. Please note All feedback is anonymous. If you would like a possible response, please include your email.
Treatment Feedback - Tools for Hospitals
Coming soon – order physical products, and new categories, review your documents and much more.
You must have a valid NHS Email to use this service.
Find Out More
News & Blog
View AllCelebrating the Start of Pride Month: Unity, Love, and Progress
June marks the beginning of Pride Month, a time for the LGBTQ+ community and their allies to come together to celebrate love, diversity, and the milestones…
Read More
Part 2 – Delivering Information
This video explores the diverse range of patient information delivery products offered by MySelfCare, providing comprehensive guidance on how to utilise them effectively.
Read More
Part 1 – Scanning QRs
This video provides step-by-step instructions on how to use QR codes with MySelfCare, making it easy for you to utilise this powerful feature
Read More
Introduction Video
Introducing you to MySelfCare and a Quick overview of its features and how it works in the Hospital
Read More