How to get seen more quickly in A&E
A tough one! There is no easy way (and shouldn’t be).
If you have a critical or serious illness or injury, the A&E (or Emergency Department, ED) is the place for you.
So. How do you get seen more quickly in A&E?
But it is always worth ringing NHS111 if you are unsure you are having an emergency as they can book you into a Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) or a local Urgent Care Centre (UCC) instead. You will often be seen quicker in these areas.
If you are in A&E, the best way to be seen quickly is to be honest about what is going on, and make it clear how long it has been affecting you. It is vital that you bring a list of your current and new medications, and to be clear about symptoms you are experiencing.
Unfortunately, there is no top tip to jump the queue, but experienced triage nurses will be able to get you seen quicker if your problem is more serious or urgent.
Doctors need to know if you are experiencing urgent symptoms like fever, serious chest or abdominal pain or shortness of breath; so you can be assessed and treated quickly – eg with antibiotics, oxygen or painkillers.
Summary
We have described how to get seen more quickly in A&E. There is not an easy way. You will be seen in turn and related to need.
Last Reviewed on 10 March 2024