Overview
Emergency department (A&E)
Our emergency department (A&E) at St Thomas' Hospital is a walk-in service. You do not need an appointment to attend.
The emergency department is for serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies.
For children needing immediate treatment, please go to the children’s emergency department at St Thomas' Hospital.
Before you attend
We have one of the busiest emergency departments (A&E) in the country, so it's important you choose the right service for you.
There are other options if you need medical advice but it’s not an emergency.
Emergency departments are only for critical or life-threatening problems.
Call 999 or go to your nearest emergency department if there is:
- severe chest pain
- loss of consciousness
- serious blood loss or heavy bleeding
- choking or breathing difficulty
- serious burns
- strokes and persistent fits
Urgent treatment centres (UTCs) provide urgent medical help when it's not a life-threatening emergency.
They can help with common problems, such as:
- sprains and strains
- suspected broken bones
- injuries, cuts and bruises
- stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhoea
- skin infections and rashes
- high temperature in children and adults
- mental health concerns
- emergency contraception
Find out more about the urgent care centre at Guy's or call 111 if you're not sure.
Call 111 for free any time or visit 111 online if you:
- need medical help fast, but it's not an emergency
- think you need to go to an NHS urgent care service
- don't know who to call for medical help or you don't have a GP to call
- if you cannot contact your GP during the day, or when your GP is closed (out-of-hours)
You'll get advice from trained advisors, supported by experienced nurses and paramedics.
For less urgent health needs, you should still contact your GP (family doctor) in the usual way.
Across south east London, NHS 111 can issue prescriptions to a pharmacy of your choice.
Visit a pharmacy for advice about medicines and common conditions. You do not need an appointment, and every pharmacy has a private area for you to talk about your symptoms.
Free emergency contraception is also available at some local pharmacies.
Common complaints which can be treated at home with advice from the pharmacist include:
- skin conditions, such as mild acne and mild eczema
- coughs and colds, including nasal congestion and sore throats
- minor cuts and bruises
- constipation and haemorrhoids (piles)
- hay fever and allergies
- aches and pains, such as headaches, earaches and backaches
- indigestion, diarrhoea and threadworms
- period pain and thrush
- warts and verrucas
- mouth ulcer and cold sores
- athlete's foot
- nappy rash and teething
Your GP provides a range of services by appointment. They'll be able to assess your immediate needs and refer you to a specialist service if needed.
Many surgeries are open longer hours now. If your surgery is closed, call 111 or visit 111 online. NHS 111 will direct you to the out of hours doctors and care services.
You should see your GP if you have:
- back ache
- ear pain
- high temperature
- being sick
GP extended hours
Enhanced access service for people living in south Southwark
More information on GP extended hours.
Self-care is the best choice to treat very minor illnesses and injuries. A range of common illnesses and injuries can be treated at home by combining a well-stocked medicine cabinet with plenty of rest.
They include:
- coughs and colds
- diarrhoea
- headache
- grazes
- hangover
- minor illnesses
- upset stomach
Make sure that you have:
- paracetamol
- cough and cold remedies
- a thermometer
- antihistamines
- ibuprofen
- rehydration mixture
- anti-diarrhoea medicine
- indigestion remedy
- plasters
You can find information on these and other common conditions on the NHS website.
If you are a Lambeth resident, you can get more information on the South East London Integrated Care System website.
If you are a Southwark resident, you can find more information on the South East London Integrated Care System website.
At the emergency department
We use a priority system to make sure we see the most seriously ill people first. We may direct you somewhere else if:
- your condition is not an accident or an emergency
- your symptoms mean we need to see you in one of our specialty areas
When you arrive
If you arrive at the pedestrian entrance, a nurse will meet you and assess where we can best treat you. The nurse will ask you some questions and record your vital signs including:
- temperature
- pulse
- blood pressure
- breathing
This will help us understand the seriousness of your condition. We might direct you to the on-site GP hub or the most appropriate service.
If we need to book you into the emergency department, you'll get a numbered ticket to take to our reception.
Our receptionist will call your ticket number and register you.
Tests
Some people need more tests after registration. A nurse will call you and perform or arrange these tests.
Treatment
We'll see you in one of our treatment areas. Your treatment depends on your condition. Not everyone sees the same doctors or nurses.
If you have a minor injury or minor illness, we’ll tell you to go to our urgent care centre.
Please remember that waiting times can differ between treatment areas and specialists. Other people may be called more quickly than you.
Referrals to other specialties
If your GP refers you to see a particular team, you’ll have to register at the emergency department. Although the team will be expecting you, they may not be able to see you immediately.
You may be redirected to:
- eye casualty, for eye problems
- Burrell Street clinic, our reproductive and sexual health service in Southwark
- maternity day assessment unit for pregnancy-related problems if you’re more than 18 weeks pregnant
- early pregnancy and acute gynaecology unit for pregnancy-related problems if you’re up to 18 weeks pregnant, or for gynaecological problems
Leaving the emergency department
We'll send your GP a letter with details of your visit to the emergency department.
If you need to attend the fracture clinic our reception staff will book you an appointment. Please make sure you’ve got an appointment card before you leave the department.
If we need to see you at any other clinic, we'll contact you over the next few days. Please make sure we have your correct contact details
We're unable to provide transport home for most patients. St Thomas’ hospital is well served by public transport.
If you want to order a taxi there is a free phone in the waiting area.
Health information
- A&E at St Thomas’ Hospital animation
- NHS 111
- Urgent and emergency care services, NHS website
- GP services, NHS website
- Pharmacy services, NHS website
- How to stay well in winter, NHS website
- My Health London, health and care services
- Lambeth Together, local care partnership
Our consultants
Koorosh Alaghmand
Pippa Alamango
Cressida Blanchard
Michelle Boyle
John Criddle
Maja Gavrilovski
Holly Gettings
Oliver Grant
Katherine Henderson
Laura Hunter
Peter Jaye
Chris Jones
Matthew May
Jamal Mortazavi
Shalini Panchal
Savvas Papasavvas
Rocio Santamaria
Komal Solanki
Arjun Thaur
Michael Trauer
Emily Wilson
Last updated: August 2023
