The Trust provides 24-hour accident and emergency (A&E) facilities at both Epsom and St Helier hospitals. Both emergency departments are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
There is also a dedicated paediatric A&E area on both hospital sites, where children under the age of 16 are seen.
The emergency department treats patients who have suffered a serious injury or accident, or who have developed a sudden serious illness or medical condition. Patients with minor injuries or illnesses may be treated in the minors area of the department by emergency nurse practitioners.
Patients may arrive on foot or be brought in by ambulance.
Emergency surgery
All emergency surgery is undertaken at St Helier Hospital. Patients arriving at the A&E department at Epsom Hospital who require emergency surgery will be transferred to St Helier Hospital for assessment and treatment.
Clinical assessment
When you arrive at A&E, you will be assessed to determine the most appropriate treatment. There are times when it may be more appropriate for you to be seen by a healthcare professional who does not work in the emergency department, such as your GP or practice nurse.
Both hospital sites have dedicated clinical assessment unit facilities. Patients may be admitted to the clinical assessment unit directly from their GP practice or from the emergency department in order to be assessed by the medical or surgical team.
Urgent care centre at St Helier Hospital
The urgent care centre, which forms part of the emergency department, opened on 1 August 2011, and provides care for patients who do not need emergency, life-saving treatment.
Run in partnership with NHS Sutton and Merton and local GPs, the centre offers appropriate treatment for people with minor illnesses or injuries, who come to the emergency department but who do not require the specialist skills of life saving doctors.
Patients who have flu-like symptoms or minor injuries, such as bruises, sprains and bumps, cuts and grazes, will be seen by specially-trained emergency nurses. The centre will be open 24 hours-a-day.
This not only means they get the most appropriate treatment - it also means consultants in the emergency department can focus on people with critical or life-threatening conditions.
Please note that it is not possible to register or to book an appointment at the urgent care centre, and it is not the same as a 'walk-in centre' - which are designated GP-led services in the community.
Children's A&E
Epsom Hospital
There is a separate children's area within the main A&E department, staffed by children's nurses, which is open during the day. At night, children are seen and treated in the general A&E department.
All children brought in are seen by an A&E doctor first, and, if necessary, referred to a paediatrician and admitted to the paediatric unit. For emergency surgery and trauma, they are sent to Queen Mary's Hospital for Children at the St Helier site.
St Helier Hospital
The dedicated children's A&E department, next to the main A&E, is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is staffed by children's nurses. All children brought in are seen by a paediatrician.
If emergency surgery, hospital admission, or further tests or X-rays are required, they are sent to Queen Mary's Hospital for Children, on the St Helier site.
If elective (non-emergency) surgery is required, they are sent to Epsom Hospital.
Ophthalmic accidents and emergencies (eye casualties)
The ophthalmic accident and emergency department at Sutton Hospital is a type II casualty unit: a consultant-led single specialty accident and emergency service with designated accommodation for the reception of patients.
