What do I do if there’s a medical emergency?
In life-threatening emergencies such as severe bleeding, collapse, unconsciousness and acute chest pains, phone the emergency services by dialling 999 and request the ambulance service.
Accident and emergency – RUH
Please use this service at the RUH for accidents and emergencies only.
Out of hours services are generally busy so please think carefully before asking to see a doctor and only do so if you genuinely cannot wait until the surgery re-opens.
In a genuine emergency you should call 999. Chest pains and / or shortness of breath constitute an emergency.
Do not move the patient if
- You think there may be a back or neck injury or any other injury that could be made worse by movement
- The person is in shock
- The person has breathing problems
- The person has severe chest pains
If the patient is not seriously ill or injured
Take the patient directly to the accident department of the nearest hospital.
When to seek urgent medical attention
- Head injuries
- Loss of consciousness
- Severe bleeding, chest or stomach pains
- Broken or dislocated bones
- Choking
How to recognise severe chest pain or a heart attack
- Vice-like pain in the middle of the chest, often spreading down the left arm and jaw
- Shortness of breath
- Sudden faintness or giddiness
- Grey pallor to the skin
- Lips look blue