Our local emergency departments are extremely busy, and it’s important for us to ensure that we can give the right care to people in the right place.
If it’s an emergency and you need access to urgent care, but it’s not life-threatening, you should always phone NHS 24 on 111 first or, speak to your local GP before attending an Emergency Department.
If you have an urgent condition but it is not life-threatening, you should phone NHS24 on 111 during the day as well as out-of-hours. By calling NHS24 when your condition is not an emergency you can help to reduce long waiting times in the emergency department and help to ensure that everyone who needs an appointment is seen as quickly as possible.
If you come to an Emergency Department and it is not the best place for you to be treated, you may be redirected by staff towards the correct service for your needs. This could include a pharmacy, or your local GP. For more information, please call NHS 24 on 111.
If your condition is life threatening, you should always call 999 or go straight to an Emergency Department.
If you have a life-threatening condition, including a suspected heart attack, stroke, severe breathing difficulties, severe bleeding, loss of consciousness, or serious injury, you should call 999 or go straight to your nearest Emergency Department.