Emergency departments assess and treat patients with serious injuries or illnesses.
Generally, you should only visit the Emergency Department or call 999 for life-threatening emergencies, such as:
- loss of consciousness
- acute confused state and fits that are not stopping
- persistent, severe chest pain
- breathing difficulties
- severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
If an ambulance is needed, call 999, the emergency phone number in the UK.
Services at our hospitals
Please note: There are no Emergency Department services at Buckland Hospital, Kent & Canterbury Hospital or the Royal Victoria Hospital.
William Harvey Hospital, Ashford, has full Emergency Department services
Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital, Margate, has full Emergency Department services
Buckland Hospital, Dover, has an Urgent Treatment Centre
Kent & Canterbury has an Urgent Treatment Centre
Royal Victoria Hospital, Folkestone, has an Urgent Treatment Centre (services provided by the Kent Community Health Trust)
Emergency treatment for children
Children (over the age of 1) with minor injuries (e.g. suspected broken arm, wounds) can be seen 24/7 at Kent & Canterbury. Children with minor illnesses/ailments (e.g cough/fever/earache) can also be seen between the hours of 0800 – 1800.
William Harvey Hospital, Ashford and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital, Margate both have full 24/7 Emergency Departments and Urgent Care (minor illness & minor injury) services.
Not sure what service is right? See our list of treated conditions at our Urgent Treatment Centres, call NHS 111 or visit their online portal at https://111.nhs.uk to see what service is right for you
Mental health help
For help and advice if you are feeling anxious, low, or need urgent mental health help, please visit the Kent and Medway NHS mental wellbeing information hub.
Staying with a patient in our emergency departments
Our emergency departments are very busy at this time. Please help us have enough space by only one person staying with a patient at a time. Thank you.
