In an emergency

Great Western Hospital Emergency Department

The Emergency Department is at the rear of the hospital and is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  The Emergency Department is there to treat urgent and life threatening injuries and illnesses only.   

You should come straight to the Emergency Department if you:

  • Are suffering from a serious condition that requires immediate attention or stitches
  • Have a recent injury that remains painful despite pain relief and first aid
  • Are suffering from severe breathing difficulties or severe pain in the body
  • Have significant blood loss. 

Patients are assessed on arrival. Very serious conditions, requiring immediate urgent treatment, will be given priority.

If your condition is non-urgent, minor or easily treatable, you will be redirected to a more appropriate service for your needs such as the local Walk In Centre based in Carfax NHS Medical Centre your GP, Pharmacy, Dentist or Minor Injury Unit.

If your condition has been present for more than 48 hours:

It would be more appropriate for you to visit your Walk In Centre or GP, who will be in a better position to provide care. This is to ensure that the Emergency Department can focus on providing urgent and emergency care to those in need. 

You can read further information about choosing the right service for your problem - Choose Well.

When you arrive at the Emergency Department

Please report to the Reception Desk in the Emergency Department to ensure that your details are taken by a receptionist. Waiting times will be advised to you. Drink vending machines and public payphones are available.

Click here for map of our location and directions to the Great Western Hospital

Acute Medical Unit and Ambulatory Care Unit

Emergency dental services

You should come straight to A&E if you experience any of the following:

  • Uncontrollable bleeding following dental extractions
  • Rapidly increasing swelling around the throat or eye
  • Severe trauma to the face and jaws.

Urgent out of hours dental treatment

Other local Emergency Departments

Clover Centre (Urgent Care Centre) on the Great Western Hospital site

The Clover Centre is not part of the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - it is managed by Care and Support Swindon.  The centre is no longer open as a walk-in service, so you should always phone for advice first. Call 01793 646466 to see whether a visit is right for you. 

NHS Direct and NHS 111

NHS Direct operates a 24-hour Nurse advice and health information service, providing confidential information on:

  • What to do if you or your family are feeling ill
  • Particular health conditions
  • Local healthcare services, such as doctors, dentists or late-night opening pharmacies
  • Self help and support organisations.

You can call them on tel: 0845 46 47

Please note that this is still the number to call in the Bath and North East Somerset area and in Wiltshire, before the NHS 111 service is introduced. Find out more here

Last update 09 May 2013