Non-urgent advice: Waiting times and COVID restrictions
Our accident and emergency (A&E) departments are extremely busy and you may have to wait up to 4 hours, or longer, to be seen. Patients who are critically ill or injured may be seen before you – even if they arrived after you. If your condition isn’t life-threatening you may be able to get help faster elsewhere.
COVID restrictions are in place. Please only attend A&E with a maximum of one other person supporting you (and only if absolutely necessary). Masks must be worn. Read our full Coronavirus information and advice.
Do you need emergency medical treatment?
Yes, it’s a life-threatening emergency
An A&E department (also known as emergency department or casualty) deals with genuine life-threatening emergencies, such as:
- loss of consciousness
- acute confused state and fits that are not stopping
- chest pain
- breathing difficulties
- severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
- severe allergic reactions
- severe burns or scalds
- stroke
- major trauma and accidents such as a road traffic accident
Additional information about infants and children
It can be difficult to know when to call an ambulance and when to take your child to the accident and emergency department (A&E).
Call an ambulance if your child:
- stops breathing
- is struggling for breath (for example, you may notice them breathing fast, panting, becoming very wheezy, or see the muscles just under their ribcage sucking in when they breathe in)
- is unconscious or seems unaware of what’s going on
- has a cut that will not stop bleeding or is gaping open
- will not wake up
- has a fit for the first time, even if they seem to recover
Take your child to A&E if they:
- have a fever and are still sluggish, despite having paracetamol or ibuprofen
- have severe tummy (abdominal) pain
- have a leg or arm injury and cannot use the limb
- have swallowed a poison or tablets
Get to your nearest Children’s A&E
- The Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital (The Alex), Brighton: call 01273 696955; ext 2364
- Worthing Hospital A&E: separate children’s A&E facilities staffed by specialist paediatric nurses. Call 01903 205111 (switchboard)
- St Richard’s Hospital, Chichester A&E: separate children’s A&E facilities staffed by specialist paediatric nurses. Call 01243 788122 (switchboard)
Child First Aid
Visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/first-aid-and-safety/first-aid/what-to-do-if-your-child-has-an-accident/ for advice on first aid for burns, poisoning and more.
NHS 111 can help if you’re not sure where to go
Call NHS 111 or visit 111 online. They can direct you to the nearest urgent care service, or book an appointment with an out of hours doctor. They can also book an appointment at A&E for you if it is an emergency. This may reduce your wait.
Get to your nearest A&E or call 999 for an ambulance if you need immediate help
Brighton A&E (Royal Sussex County Hospital)
Address and directions
Royal Sussex County Hospital
Eastern Road
Brighton
BN2 5BE
Telephone: +44 (0)1273 696955 A&E reception ext. 64261
Chichester A&E (St Richard’s Hospital)
Address and directions
St Richard’s Hospital
Spitalfield Lane
Chichester
West Sussex
PO19 6SE
Telephone: +44 (0)1243 788122
Haywards Heath A&E (Princess Royal Hospital)
Address and directions
Princess Royal Hospital
Lewes Road
Haywards Heath
RH16 4EX
Telephone: +44 (0)1444 441881
A&E reception: 01444 448745
Worthing Hospital A&E
Address and directions
Worthing Hospital
Lyndhurst Road
Worthing
West Sussex
BN11 2DH
Telephone: +44 (0)1903 205111
Children’s A&E
- The Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital (The Alex), Brighton: call 01273 696955; ext 2364
- Worthing Hospital A&E: separate children’s A&E facilities staffed by specialist paediatric nurses. Call 01903 205111 (switchboard)
- St Richard’s Hospital, Chichester A&E: separate children’s A&E facilities staffed by specialist paediatric nurses. Call 01243 788122 (switchboard)
Performing First Aid
Every year in the UK, thousands of people die or are seriously injured in incidents. Many deaths could be prevented if first aid was given before emergency services arrive.
Read NHS First Aid advice for emergency situations including CPR, stroke, choking, burns, heavy bleeding, fractures and more.
What to expect at A&E
Yes, it’s not life-threatening but I need help urgently
If you need urgent medical attention, but it’s not life-threatening you can go to your nearest minor injuries unit or urgent treatment centre. They are open at least 12 hours a day (some are open 24 hours a day), every day. They deal with conditions such as:
- sprains and strains
- suspected broken limbs
- minor head injuries
- cuts and grazes
- bites and stings
- minor scalds and burns
- ear and throat infections
- skin infections and rashes
- eye problems
- coughs and colds
- high temperature in child and adults
- stomach pain
- being sick (vomiting) and diarrhoea
- emergency contraception
Additional information about infants and children
Minor injuries units and urgent treatment centres can deal with many of the everyday children’s ailments and accidents. It can be difficult to know when to take your child to the accident and emergency department (A&E).
Take your child to A&E if they:
- have a fever and are still sluggish (floppy), despite having paracetamol or ibuprofen
- have severe tummy (abdominal) pain
- have a leg or arm injury and cannot use the limb
- have swallowed a poison or tablets
Call an ambulance if your child:
- stops breathing
- is struggling for breath (for example, you may notice them breathing fast, panting, becoming very wheezy, or see the muscles just under their ribcage sucking in when they breathe in)
- is unconscious or seems unaware of what’s going on
- has a cut that will not stop bleeding or is gaping open
- will not wake up
- has a fit for the first time, even if they seem to recover
NHS 111 can help if you’re not sure where to go
Call NHS 111 or visit 111 online. They can direct you to the nearest urgent care service, or book an appointment with an out of hours doctor. They can also book an appointment at A&E for you if it is an emergency. This may reduce your wait.
Child First Aid
Visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/first-aid-and-safety/first-aid/what-to-do-if-your-child-has-an-accident/ for first aid advice for burns, cuts, swallowing non-edible objects/substances and more.
Find your nearest minor injuries unit or urgent treatment centre
West Sussex
- Bognor Regis War Memorial Hospital – Minor Injury Unit – open 09:00-17:00 Mon-Fri (excluding bank holidays)
- Crawley Urgent Treatment Centre at Crawley Hospital – open 24 hours, seven days a week
- East Grinstead Minor Injury Unit at Queen Victoria Hospital – open 8:00-20:00, seven days a week
- Horsham Minor Injury Unit at Horsham Hospital – open between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays
- The Park Surgery in Littlehampton – Minor Injury Unit – open 09:00-17:30 Mon-Fri
Brighton and Hove
- Brighton Station Health Centre – open 8:00-20:00, seven days a week. You can walk in for treatment or call the service first to arrange a telephone triage with a clinician 0333 321 0946
- Lewes Victoria Hospital Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) – open 8:00-20:00, seven days a week. You can walk in or use 111 to receive a booked arrival time.
NHS 111 can help if you’re not sure where to go
Call NHS 111 or visit 111 online. They can direct you to the nearest urgent care service, or book an appointment with an out of hours doctor. They can also book an appointment at A&E for you if it is an emergency. This may reduce your wait.
First Aid advice
The NHS A-Z of health conditions gives advice on how to treat various conditions at home before seeking medical help.
Call NHS 111 or visit NHS111 online for more advice or if you’re not sure what to do
No, but I need medical treatment
During working hours, contact your GP to make an appointment. If you aren’t registered at your local surgery, find your nearest GP
NHS 111 can help if you’re not sure where to go
Call NHS 111 or visit 111 online. They can direct you to the nearest urgent care service, or book an appointment with an out of hours doctor. They can also book an appointment at A&E for you if it is an emergency. This may reduce your wait.
Mental health support
- Sussex Mental Healthline or call 0800 0309 500 (24/7)
- Samaritans or call 116 123 (24/7)
- Preventing suicide in Sussex
Eye emergencies
Emergency dentists
Pharmacies
Late night pharmacies (seven days a week)
- Ashtons Pharmacy: 01273 325020, 98 Dyke Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 3JD. Closing time: 10pm
- Westons Pharmacy: 01273 605354, 6-7 Coombe Terrace, Lewes Road, Brighton, BN2 4AD. Closing time: 8pm
Sexual health services
Other sources of help and advice
- NSPCC (safety of a child): www.nspcc.org.uk/
- Refuge (domestic abuse help): www.refuge.org.uk/
- Help after rape and sexual assault: www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/help-after-rape-and-sexual-assault/
NHS 111 can help if you’re not sure where to go
Call NHS 111 or visit 111 online. They can direct you to the nearest urgent care service, or book an appointment with an out of hours doctor. They can also book an appointment at A&E for you if it is an emergency. This may reduce your wait.
