Accident and Emergency

The Hospital’s A&E Department provides 24 hour emergency care for the people of Yeovil and the surrounding area and can be contacted on 01935 384355.

The Department incorporates a minor injuries area, a majors receiving area and a fully-equipped three-bedded resuscitation bay. There is also a Paediatric Admissions Unit and the main Hospital Admissions Unit where patients who have been referred to specialist teams by their GP will be seen. There is also an Observation Ward for overnight stays.

The department is staffed by a multi-professional team of doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, allied health professionals and administration staff, all of whom work together to try to provide care in a thorough and timely manner. These staff deal with all manner of conditions from torn ligaments and fractured limbs to life-threatening illnesses, major trauma and cardiac arrests. Often the department may become very busy and on these occasions we need to prioritise patients’ care in order of need. This may cause a delay before you are seen. However, if this happens we will aim to keep you informed.

If you have any worries or questions whilst you are in the department, please do ask a member of staff for advice or assistance – we aim to be friendly and approachable. It can be frustrating waiting for treatment within the department so please help us to help you by being aware of the needs of other patients.

If you feel that your treatment is not of an urgent nature please consider using the GP-led health centre above Boots in Yeovil town centre, making an appointment with your GP, going to a minor injuries unit at one of the community hospitals or taking advice from a pharmacist or NHS Direct.

What to expect

Following your arrival at the Accident and Emergency Department your care will follow a variety of different pathways:

If you arrive by ambulance you will be assessed by a member of the nursing team and allocated a cubicle space when one becomes available. You may have a variety of tests or assessments depending on your condition. You will then be seen by a doctor or nurse practitioner and a further plan of care will be arranged as required.

If you arrive by ambulance and your condition is stable you may be asked to wait in the waiting room.

All patients who book in at reception will be asked to take a seat in the waiting room. Patients will be called through to the main department for assessment and treatment in order of priority. Wherever possible a brief initial assessment will be carried out and the nurse will ask you about your condition.

Observations may be recorded and include your blood pressure, pulse and temperature. Simple dressings may be applied and pain relief will be offered. Following the assessment the nurse will prioritise your care as appropriate. You will be advised of an approximate waiting time. At times it may appear that other patients are being called in front of you but they may have a potentially serious condition or be waiting for a clinic appointment. Following your initial assessment it may be necessary for you to return to the waiting room until a cubicle space becomes available when you will be seen by a doctor or a nurse practitioner.