Emergency departments (ED)

We provide 24-hour emergency departments (previously known as A&Es) at both Epsom and St Helier hospitals. Both emergency departments are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also have dedicated children’s ED on at both hospitals, where children under the age of 16 are seen.

Our emergency departments treat 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 Urgent Treatment Centre 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 ED department at Epsom Hospital who require emergency surgery will be transferred to St Helier for assessment and treatment.

Clinical assessment

When you arrive at ED, 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 medical assessment hubs adjacent to the Emergency Department. Patients may be admitted here in order to be assessed by the medical team.

Urgent treatment centres at Epsom and St Helier hospitals

Our urgent treatment centres (UTCs), which form part of the emergency departments, provide care for patients who do not need emergency, life-saving treatment.

The centres offer 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 with conditions such as broken bones, deep cuts requiring stitches and some illnesses or symptoms that need urgent treatment, such as skin infections or abscesses, are treated by specially trained nurses and GPs. The centre is 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.

Children's ED

Epsom Hospital

There is a separate children's area within the main ED department, staffed by children's nurses, which is open 24/7.

All children brought in are seen by an ED doctor first, and, if necessary, referred to a paediatrician for assessment and admission to a paediatric ward or discharge home. For emergency surgery and trauma children will be sent to Queen Mary's Hospital for Children at the St Helier site which is staffed by children’s nurses. However, in exceptional circumstances children may be transferred to specialist center outside the Trust

St Helier Hospital

The dedicated children's ED department, next to the main ED, is open 24/7and is staffed by children's nurses and paediatricians.

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.

Emergency Eye Unit at St Helier Hospital (eye casualties)

See emergency eye service for infomation.

Opening hours and locations

Both our ED departments are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

St Helier: the ED department is located at the front of the hospital, to the right of the main hospital entrance.

Epsom: the ED department is located opposite the visitor’s car park, next to the hospital entrance.

Key staff

Dr Robert Tan
Clinical Director:

Dr Jameel Karim
St Helier ED Clinical Lead

Dr Sayed Qudsi
Epsom ED Clinical Lead

Lee Clarke
ED General Manager

Amy Tullin
ED Service Manager

Further information

If you would like to know more about your symptoms or condition following your visit to the Emergency Department, there is health information written in clear and easy to understand language available at patient.co.uk (opens in a new window).