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Services
Accident and Emergency
A lot of people come to A&E because they do not know where else to go. Read our quick guide before you decide where to go for your treatment.
A&E, Casualty, Emergency Department
St George's Hospital's busy, modern A&E Department provides a 24-hour emergency service, 365 days a year, and sees around 100,000 patients. Around 21 per cent of patients attending A&E are admitted to the hospital. The department assesses and provides initial treatment to patients who are severely injured or who have developed a serious illness.
Patients may be from the local area or from across southwest London and Surrey, as St George's Hospital provides specialist services not available at other hospitals for major trauma victims and patients with heart problems and strokes.
Last year around 22 per cent of patients attending A&E were children. St George's Hospital's A&E has a separate paediatric (children's) area where children and young people are treated. The staff for this area includes specially trained paediatric nurses and doctors. The area has nine beds/cubicles, and its own waiting area, toilets and baby changing facilities. The area operates 9am to 2am. At other times children are seen in the main part of the A&E department.
The A&E Department has:
- a five-bay resuscitation area for the most seriously ill or injured patients
- a major illness area which has 16 beds / cubicles
- a minor injuries area which has 11 cubicles
- an ENT room
- an eye examination room
On arrival patients are assessed by an experienced A&E nurse. This assessment is called triage and is designed to ensure the most seriously ill patients are seen first. Patients with minor injuries or illness may be directed to alternative services which may be more appropriate for them, such as the Tooting Walk-In Centre, which is located opposite A&E, or their local GP. During the day, the minor injuries area operates a 'See and Treat' system which is designed to ensure that patients with minor problems are seen without delay.
The Department also has a Clinical Decision Unit (CDU), to accommodate 10 patients who require planned investigation and treatment for a period of no more than 24-36 hours. The paediatric area of A&E has a similar facility where children can be observed and cared for for up to eight hours.
The A&E Department has four consultants and about 40 junior doctors in general and paediatric emergency medicine. The Department's staff of more than 90 nurses is led by a Head of Nursing, Consultant Nurse and Matron. Within the nursing structure there are Emergency Nurse Practitioners who offer a service in the minors area, and Emergency Care Nurses who specialise in the care of patients in the resuscitation area. The Department is supported by a team of non-clinical staff which includes receptionists, led by a Service Manager.
The department has a target of treating and admitting, transferring or discharging patients within four hours of arrival.
Follow-up clinics are held separately for adults and children, and an acute physiotherapy service is available within the department.
Location
Accident and Emergency is based at St George's Hospital in ![Download free PDF reading software [opens a new window]](images/pdf.gif)
St James' Wing on the ground floor.
Contact details
A&E Reception
020 8725 2666
Children's A&E
020 8725 3518
Minor Injuries Area
020 8725 1265
NHS Direct www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
For medical advice call 0845 4647.
Referrals
Patients can self-present at A&E but may also be referred by a GP or arrive via the London Ambulance Service.
