Visiting an Accident & Emergency (A&E) department can be a stressful and physically draining experience. Between the noise, the crowds, and the clinical jargon, it is easy to feel lost.
Most visits take between 2 and 6 hours, though this can stretch significantly longer during peak times or if you require a hospital bed – sometimes 24 hours and over. We are very sorry patients are left in A&E so long.
To help you prepare, here is a step-by-step guide to the five stages of the A&E journey, along with tips on what to bring and what to expect.
Not every hospital has a full A&E department. Before traveling, use the NHS website to find your nearest emergency center.
The Wait: Expect to be there for several hours. Bring a book, a portable phone charger, and snacks.
Children: If you are bringing a child, pack quiet toys and familiar drinks.
Paperwork: Bring any letters from NHS 111, your GP, or a Walk-in Centre.
Companions: While COVID-19 restrictions have largely eased, some hospitals still limit companions to one person per patient to manage crowding. Children are always allowed a guardian.
1. Registration and Booking In
Upon arrival, your first stop is the reception desk. You will be asked for your personal details (name, DOB, address) to pull up your medical record. The receptionist will ask a few brief questions about why you are there.
Redirection: Depending on your symptoms, you might be redirected immediately to a specialized area, such as Eye Casualty, a Minor Injuries Unit (MIU), or an Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC).
2. Triage: The Clinical Priority Check
Within about 20–30 minutes, a Triage Nurse will call you into a private room. They will take your “obs” (observations), which include:
Temperature and Pulse
Blood Pressure
Oxygen Saturation
They may also start initial tests like an ECG (heart trace), a urine sample, or a blood test. These results help the hospital “triage” you—ensuring those with life-threatening issues are moved to the front of the queue.
3. First Assessment: Meeting the Practitioner
Next, you will be seen by an Emergency Practitioner. This could be a Doctor, an Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP), or a Physician Associate (PA).
The Examination: They will ask detailed questions and perform a physical exam. You can request a chaperone at this stage if you wish.
The Queue: Remember, A&E does not operate on a “first-come, first-served” basis. If someone arrives after you with a more critical condition (like a suspected heart attack), they will be seen first.
4. Diagnosis and Treatment Plan
Once your test results are back, your practitioner will discuss the findings. There are usually four possible outcomes:
Reassurance: About 30% of patients require no further treatment. You’ll be told how to manage symptoms at home.
Prescription: You may be given medicine on-site or a prescription to take to the hospital pharmacy.
Specialist Referral: You might need a second opinion from a specialist (e.g., an Orthopedic surgeon for a break or a Cardiologist for heart issues).
Observation: You may be moved to a clinical decision unit to be watched for a few hours.
5. The Result: Discharge or Admission
The final stage of the journey is deciding where you go next.
Outcome A: Discharge (70% of Patients)
Most people head home. The hospital will send an electronic discharge summary to your GP so they know what happened.
Follow-up: Ensure you know if you need to book a follow-up with your GP or if the hospital will mail you a clinic appointment. Always ask for a paper copy of your discharge letter before leaving.
Outcome B: Admission (30% of Patients)
If you are seriously unwell, you will be admitted as an inpatient.
The Wait for a Bed: This is often the longest part of the process. While the goal is to move you to a ward within 4 hours, during busy periods, patients may wait 12 hours or more for a specific bed to become available.
Stay Duration: The average hospital stay is 6 to 7 days, though many are discharged the following morning after overnight observation.
| Stage | Estimated Duration |
| Registration | 5 – 10 Minutes |
| Triage | 15 – 30 Minutes |
| Wait for Assessment | 1 – 4 Hours |
| Treatment/Planning | 30 – 60 Minutes |
| Total Journey (Discharge) | 2 – 6 Hours |
| Total Journey (Admission) | 4 – 12+ Hours |
If you are unsure about your diagnosis or the next steps, ask the staff to write it down. In the high-stress environment of A&E, it is very easy to forget important instructions once you get home.
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