When to use A&E

Emergency services are available in the A&E (Accident & Emergency) departments of local hospitals, these are sometimes known as emergency or casualty departments. If you need an emergency response vehicle, like an ambulance, you should dial 999.

Emergency services deal with genuine life-threatening emergencies such as:

• loss of consciousness
• confused state and fits that are not stopping and come on suddenly
• persistent severe chest pain
• breathing difficulties
• severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
• severe allergic reactions
• severe burns or scolds

If it’s not life-threatening, but you need medical help fast dial 111, the free NHS helpline, instead.

Local A&E departments for adults

• Liverpool City Centre: Royal Liverpool Hospital
• North Liverpool: Aintree Hospital
• Southport: Southport Hospital
• Whiston: Whiston Hospital

Local A&E departments for children

•  Liverpool: Alderhey Children’s Hospital
• Ormskirk: Ormskirk Paediatric A&E
• Whiston: Whiston Paediatric A&E