Our department deals with life-threatening emergencies such as:
- breathing difficulties
- cardiac arrest
- chest pain
- confused state
- fits that are not stopping
- loss of consciousness
- major trauma such as a road traffic accident
- severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
- severe allergic reactions
- severe burns or scalds
- stroke
- suspected broken bone that needs urgent attention
Less severe injuries can be treated in urgent treatment centres. A&E is not an alternative to a GP appointment.
If your GP is closed you can go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111, which will direct you to the best local service.
- only attend A&E if you require urgent or emergency care
- bring all your medication with you
- bring any medical information you have from other hospitals
- ask before eating or drinking as this may delay certain procedures
- bring a relative or friend to keep you company but no more than 1 if possible as we have limited space
The time displayed in the waiting room is an estimate of the time it will take for you to be seen after your initial assessment. This can change quickly depending on the number of patients in the department and how unwell they are. We always see those who need us most, first. We'll do everything we can to keep you comfortable while you wait.
Please do not phone the department to ask how long the wait will be when you arrive, we cannot predict this.
If you've been referred to A&E by your GP, practice nurse, Cumbria Health on Call (CHoC) or your physiotherapist, the specialist teams will be contacted and they'll see you as soon as they can.
We host medical and nursing students from Newcastle and Cumbria universities. Interacting with patients is a key part of their training so they may be involved in your care. If you do not want students to be involved in your care, please speak to our nursing staff.
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If you're not admitted into the hospital for further treatment, we'll send your GP a letter with details about your visit to the department.
If you need to attend the fracture or plastics clinic, our reception staff will book you an appointment. If you need any other clinic, one of our team will get in touch with you to arrange this.
We'll give you an estimate for when we think you'll be ready to go home so you can make arrangements to be picked up. If you need a phone number for a local taxi service or bus information, our staff can help you with this.
Leaving hospital check list:
- tell your friends, family and neighbours that you’re coming home
- make sure you’ve got enough money to pay for transport and top up your gas and electric meters (our hospitals have cash points you can use)
- make sure you have all your belongings
- keep your house keys handy
- return any hospital property
- make sure the Ward Clerk has your address and GP information
- ask for your discharge letter
- ask if you need an outpatients appointment
- ask for your medication and make sure there’s enough to last until you see your GP
Our staff should be able to carry out their work without fearing for their safety. We do not tolerate threatening or aggressive behaviour towards staff. Anyone who behaves in this way or who damages hospital property will be asked to leave and may face criminal prosecution.
