Urgent care centre and A&E

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Choose Well (Video file)

Choose Well

There are a range of healthcare services you and your family can access if you become unwell.

This helpful 'Choose Well' film, made by NHS Bexley, explains which service to use and when.

By choosing well you will receive treatment fast, leaving emergency services to those who need them most.

This film contains subtitles.

Urgent care centres

What is the urgent care centre for?

The Urgent Care Centre (UCC) at QMS offers an alternative to the emergency department (A&E) for a range of injuries, illnesses and urgent medical problems.

It is a walk-in NHS service for patients whose condition is urgent enough that they cannot wait for the next GP appointment but who do not need emergency treatment at the emergency department (A&E). It is led and staffed by GP’s/Associate Specialists, working alongside Emergency and Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Health Care Assistants and Primary Care Assistant Practitioners. QMS is open Monday through till Sunday 365 days a week for 24 hours a day.

There are facilities to x-ray limbs for suspected fractures Mon-Friday 08.00hrs-22.00hrs and prescribe medicines, however the service is not set up to do blood tests. The unit will usually treat patients with less serious injuries more quickly than the emergency department (A&E).

If you are unsure as to whether or not you need to be seen at the UCC please contact 111 in the first instance and they will assess and direct you to the most appropriate care provider.

Local people can receive urgent care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at:

Princess Royal University Hospital, Orpington

Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich

Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup

Darent Valley Hospital, Dartford

These urgent care centres can usually help if you need urgent treatment for problems such as these:

  • Infected insect bites and stings
  • Burns and scalds
  • Dislocated fingers, thumbs and toes
  • Chest, neck and back injuries or pain
  • Foreign objects in wounds or other parts of the body
  • Injuries, sprains and strains
  • Infections, including wounds
  • Fractures to shoulders, arms, hands, fingers, legs and ribs
  • Minor eye injuries
  • Head injuries with no loss of consciousness and not related to alcohol
  • Allergic reactions

Download the Urgent Care Centre Queen Mary Hospital Quality Report.

Accident and Emergency (A&E)

A&E departments assess and treat patients with serious injuries or illnesses.

Generally, you should visit A&E (or call 999) for life-threatening emergencies, such as:

  • Loss of consciousness
  • Acute confused state and fits that are not stopping
  • Persistent, severe chest pain
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Severe bleeding that cannot be stopped

If an ambulance is needed, call 999.

There are A&E departments at the following hospitals:

Princess Royal University Hospital
Farnborough Common
Orpington
Kent
BR6 8ND
Tel: 01689 863486

Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Stadium Road
Woolwich
London
SE18 4QH
Tel: 0208 836 6846 (Urgent care) / 0208 836 4361 (A&E)

Darent Valley Hospital
Darent Wood Road
Dartford
Kent
DA2 8DA
Tel: 01322 428100