Accident and Emergency
Accident & Emergency (A&E) or 999:
 It is often very obvious when emergency care is needed for serious injury or illness. You should get medical attention by either taking the patient to the nearest Accident & Emergency (A & E) department or by phoning 999 for an emergency ambulance. An emergency is a critical or life threatening situation such as:
Loss of consciousness
Heavy blood loss
Suspected broken bones
Persistent chest pain for 15 minutes or more
Difficulty breathing
Overdose, ingestion or poisoning
Remember to keep calm, do everything you can to help the person, but don't put yourself in danger and don't give the person anything to eat, drink or smoke.
Unless you need emergency medical attention avoid local A&E departments. Doctors and nurses there are equipped to deal with serious cases of injury and illness, not routine and minor ailments. Calling an ambulance won't necessarily mean you are seen any quicker at A&E as the most serious cases are prioritised. Find your local A&E unit.
Minor Injuries Units: Many people continue to go to A&E even when they could be treated just as professionally and usually more quickly at a Minor Injuries Unit. Minor Injuries Units are for patients with less serious injuries, such as sprains, cuts and grazes. The waiting times are usually much shorter than those in A&E, as staff must give priority to serious and life-threatening conditions. You do not need an appointment to visit a Minor Injuries Unit. Minor Injuries Units are led by highly qualified nurse practitioners with more experience and expertise than many doctors in this kind of treatment.
Minor Injuries Units can treat a wide variety of problems including:
Cuts/grazes and lacerations
Sprains and strains
Broken bones (fractures)
Bites and stings (including human/animal bites)
Infected wounds
Minor head injuries
Minor eye infections, foreign bodies & scratches
If you are not sure whether your injury is minor and can be treated in a Minor Injuries Unit, telephone NHS Direct on 0845 4647, who can advise you and direct you to the most appropriate place for your care.
Our local Minor Injury Unit is based at Exmouth Hospital.
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