Got an urgent health need that isn't life threatening? Find local walk in centres that can help get you the right care as quickly as possible, leaving A&E for those who need it.
East Surrey Hospital is the major acute hospital for east Surrey and north-east West Sussex, providing an Emergency department and acute services for the whole catchment area of the SASH Trust, including Gatwick Airport – a total of more than half a million people.
Open 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, the emergency department at East Surrey Hospital offers a full spectrum of specialist emergency services including medical, surgical, paediatric, and gynaecology and obstetrics. Severe trauma will go to the trauma centres at St George’s or Brighton hospitals.
Patients can access the emergency department either by presenting themselves, being sent by their GP, or via an ambulance or air ambulance – the helipad is located near the hospital car park. Patients can also be referred from other walk-in centres at Crawley and Caterham Dene Hospitals, and the Minor Injuries Unit at Horsham Hospital.
Do I really need A&E?
- If you have a minor ailment or injury, there are other places you can go for treatment:
- Book an appointment with your GP
- Visit a pharmacist
- Use the out-of-hours NHS 111 service: Call 111 if you urgently need medical help or advice but it’s not a life-threatening situation
- Visit NHS Choices to find a minor injuries unit or urgent treatment centre in your area
- Use the Health Help Now app
The maximum time-frame for patient stay in the emergency department is four hours. Within that time, patients should have either been treated or sent home, or referred to one of the acute specialist services such as the Acute Medical Unit, the Surgical Assessment Unit, Child Assessment Unit, or the Gynaecological Assessment Unit.
Dr Benjamin Upton was great! I feel that he was very reassuring and made an extra special effort to get my test results quickly. He made me feel important. Thank you!