Staff working in the Emergency Room

The Emergency Department can be put under extreme pressure throughout the year and to help the department cope with peaks of work it is important that people are aware of how to use the department properly.

The department will respond immediately to those people who are acutely ill, or have life or limb threatening problems. Examples of an emergency situation include a suspected heart attack, severe chest pain, unconsciousness, heavy blood loss, suspected broken bones, deep wounds, severe breathing difficulties or a head injury.

For minor injury X-ray access you will be directed to the urgent care centre. If you have a minor, non-life-threatening or limb threatening injury or illness, it may be more appropriate to visit the walk-in centre or your GP. The NHS 111 service has a handy symptom checker and advisors can also direct you to of the best service for your symptoms and if necessary, book you a timeslot with a GP or in A&E itself, saving you a wait.

You can also find further information of when to go to A&E here.

Patients who visit the Emergency Department are assessed by order of priority so if you have a problem that does not require urgent attention, you may be allocated a low priority and may wait some time to be seen.

When you arrive at the Emergency Department, you will be registered by a team of receptionists and assessed by a triage nurse who will determine the nature of your illness or injury. Some patients must then wait to see a doctor or emergency nurse practitioner, advanced nurse practitioner, others may require an X-ray and some may be given medication to relieve any pain. Whatever your condition, our Emergency Department staff have the experience to deal with it, and will keep you fully informed of what is happening.

Please be aware that visiting or accompanying people to the Emergency Department at Blackpool Victoria Hospital remains restricted.

The Emergency Department is now permitting one visitor per patient for the duration of the patient’s stay in the department. For patients who are deemed vulnerable, e.g. have cognitive impairment or have caring requirements, this can be increased at the discretion of the Nurse In Charge.

In addition, any child under the age of 18 can have one nominated parent or carer accompany them to the Emergency Department.

If you are worried about what to do, you can visit 111.nhs.uk  for more information.  Alternatively you can dial the 111 non-emergency number, for free, to guide you to the most appropriate facility and treatment for your circumstances.