Emergency Department

The Emergency Department at Queen Alexandra Hospital is one of the busiest in the country and last year saw well over 100,000 people.

Experienced nurses and doctors are on hand to treat people with serious injuries and those in need of emergency treatment.  The department is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 

Patients are assessed and seen in order of need, and it is not necessary to make an appointment.   

People should come to the Emergency Department if:

• There has been a serious head injury with heavy bleeding
• The person is, or has been, unconscious
• There is a severe broken bone or dislocation
• The person is experiencing severe chest pain or is having trouble breathing
• The person is experiencing severe stomach ache that cannot be treated by over-the-counter remedies
• There is severe bleeding from any part of the body 

Sometimes, the quickest way to help is to take the person to the nearest emergency department.  However, even in an area where your hospital is fairly close, you should call an ambulance and do not move the patient if:

• You think they may have hurt their back or neck, or have any other injury that may be made worse by moving them
• The person is in shock and needs your constant attention, or
• The person has severe chest pain or difficulty breathing 

If you need help to get someone to hospital telephone 999 and ask for an ambulance.  Follow any instructions the ambulance service call handler may give you.

The Emergency Department at Queen Alexandra Hospital can be accessed via Southwick Hill Road and be contacted by calling the hospital's switchboard on 023 9228 6000.