Is it an emergency?

Our urgent and emergency care service at County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust treats life-threatening emergencies and major injuries. It is one of the busiest departments in the Trust.

The emergency department is for life-threatening emergencies

Unless your condition is life threatening, please don’t turn up or walk in the emergency department (A&E).

You can relieve pressure on the emergency department by assessing your own, or someone else’s, needs first and ensuring the severity of your emergency.

Remember, many minor injuries and issues can be treated by self-medicating, contacting NHS 111 online or visiting your local pharmacy or GP.

When should I call 999?

You should call 999 straightaway in the event of:

  • Unconsciousness
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
  • A serious head injury with heavy bleeding
  • Persistent and severe chest pain
  • Severe burns or scalds
  • Severe allergic reactions
  • Stroke
  • A state of confusion and sudden fits that are not stopping

Keep our emergency department for those who need it

Unless your condition is life threatening, please don’t turn up or walk in the emergency department (A&E).

Please think pharmacist, GP and NHS 111 online first and keep A&E for those who need it most.

Firstly, you will be assessed by our dedicated staff and, based on your needs, redirected to our emergency department, urgent care, or elsewhere based on the severity of your illness.

Please be aware, we use a priority system where the most seriously ill or injured patients are seen first.

Should I go to Urgent Treatment Centre instead?

We have Urgent Treatment Centres at University Hospital North Durham, Bishop Auckland Hospital, Shotley Bridge Hospital, Darlington Memorial Hospital and Peterlee Hospital.

If you are feeling unwell and need to use the service, we advise you to book an appointment first by calling 111. This will help to speed up your treatment.

Find out more information on opening times and what treatment can be offered at our urgent treatment centres:

Urgent Treatment Centres

Please think Pharmacy, GP or NHS 111 online first

Pharmacy

Your local pharmacist can give advice and administer medication for most ailments.

They have fully trained staff and often have a private room so you can talk to them about confidential matters.

Pharmacists can help if you have:

  • Diarrhoea
  • Painful cough
  • Painful headache
  • Minor pain

GP

Your GP has the expertise to treat many ailments. If they cannot treat something in-house, they may refer you to one of our specialist services or urgent care.

Contact your own GP practice during opening hours to make an appointment. If the practice is closed, you can call 111 for advice. They may also be able to make an appointment for you.

If you’re not sure which option is right for your needs, please call the NHS helpline on 111. They can offer advice and support about your health issue and where you need to go for help.

NHS 111

NHS 111 can help if you have an urgent medical problem and you’re not sure what to do and can offer advice about the best service for you to access. When in doubt, please phone 111 or visit the 111 website.

The NHS 111 service can help in the following ways:

  • Find out which local services can help you
  • You will be connected to a nurse, pharmacist or GP
  • Get a face-to-face appointment if you need one
  • Be given an arrival time if you need to go to urgent and emergency care – this might mean you spend less time in the waiting area
  • Get self-care advice
  • Be given advice on how to get any medicine you need

When you call the service you will be asked questions about your symptoms to find out the best treatment for you.

Attending the Emergency Department

We provide emergency care for people with serious life-threatening injuries and illnesses. Our team of medical and nursing staff work 24 hours a day, seven days a week to assess and treat patients in our Emergency Departments at University Hospital of North Durham and Darlington Memorial Hospital.

All patients are assessed and triaged depending on the severity of their condition. Patients with the highest clinical need are seen first, rather than in time order.

Unless directed by your GP or the Ambulance Service, it is advisable to call 111 prior to attending the Emergency Department as there may be a service more suited to your needs.

If you attend with a minor injury or illness you are likely to experience a longer wait and may be directed to an alternative service.

Bring your medications to the Emergency Department

If you need to attend the Emergency Department, please bring all your medications with you. This includes:

  • Prescription medicines
  • Inhalers
  • GTN sprays
  • External preparations (e.g. skin creams, eye drops)
  • Injectable medicines, including insulin
  • Herbal remedies and over-the-counter medicines

Bringing your medications helps prevent delays or missed doses, as not all medicines are immediately available in the Emergency Department. If you are unable to bring them, please try to bring a copy of a recent prescription.

Additionally, please inform us if you receive medications from outpatient clinics, cancer care services, or a home delivery service.

Other useful information to bring:

  • A list of any allergies
  • Details of your next of kin
  • Your current GP information
  • Your Health Passport
  • Your Emergency Health Care Plans
  • Any formal advance health decision documents

Our staff may not have access to all of your health records outside of our Trust. By bringing this information, you can help us provide the best possible care.

Crisis mental health support

If you, or someone you know, is experiencing a mental health crisis, you can now call NHS 111 and select option 2 for urgent mental health support. NHS 111 is available 24/7.

If you are deaf or have hearing loss please use NHS 111 – SignVideo or use the 18001 111 Relay UK app.

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