As with all health care services across the county, everyone can access emergency care. If you have a need or disability, the emergency services will do everything possible to support you to get the health care you need. An A&E department (also known as emergency department or casualty) deals with genuine life-threatening emergencies, like loss of consciousness acute confused state and fits that are not stopping persistent, severe chest pain breathing difficulties severe bleeding that cannot be stopped severe allergic reactions severe burns or scalds Less severe injuries can be treated in urgent care centres or minor injuries units (MIUs). An A&E is not an alternative to a doctor’s appointment. If your doctor’s practice is closed you can phone NHS 111, which will direct you to the best local service to treat your injury. Or you can visit an NHS walk-in centre (WIC), which will also treat minor illnesses without an appointment. How to find your nearest A&E If you phoned 999 for an ambulance and you have to be taken to hospital, then the ambulance team will take you to the most appropriate A&E – this may not be the closest. Most community hospitals in Somerset have accident and emergency services but 24-hour care is available. You can use the find services search on NHS Choices to see if there is one near you. Many hospitals have their own websites, which give you information about the urgent and emergency care services they offer. 24-hour services in the Somerset area include Musgrove Park Hospital Parkfield Drive Taunton TA1 5DA Phone 01823 333444 Yeovil District Hospital Higher Kingston Yeovil Somerset BA21 4AT Phone 01935 475122 Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital Barrack Road Exeter Devon EX2 5DW Phone 01392 411 611 Bristol Royal Infirmary Marlborough Street Bristol Avon BS2 8HW Phone 0117 923 0000 Royal United Hospital, Bath Combe Park Bath Avon BA1 3NG Phone 01225 428331 Dorset County Hospital Williams Avenue Dorchester Dorset DT1 2JY Phone 01305 251150 Hospital Passport Hospital Passport – a way to record and show important information to ensure medical staff can access the information they need quickly.
