Urgent Care Near Horndean: A&E, UTCs and When to Call 111

Where is the emergency department?

Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust runs the emergency department at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Southwick Hill Road, Cosham, Portsmouth, PO6 3LY. The trust's Know Where To Go page says emergency departments offer access 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The trust is clear that the department is for serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies only. For adults it gives signs of a heart attack, signs of a stroke, heavy bleeding and seizures as examples. For children it lists seizures, choking, heavy bleeding and severe injuries. If you go and your problem is not serious, the team may redirect you to a more suitable service such as an urgent treatment centre.

Which urgent treatment centres does the trust list?

The same trust page names its closest urgent treatment centres (UTCs), with the hours it publishes. St Mary's Health Campus (PO3 6DW) is listed as 8am to 8pm, with a GP on site. Gosport War Memorial Hospital (PO12 3PW) is listed as 8am to 10pm. Petersfield Community Hospital (GU32 3LB) is listed as 8am to 8pm.

Check the current hours on the trust's page before you set off.

St Mary's is on the site that nhs.uk lists as the Practice Plus Group Surgical Centre, St Mary's Portsmouth, Milton Road, Portsmouth, PO3 6DW. Petersfield Community Hospital is at Swan Street, Petersfield, GU32 3LB. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust's urgent treatment centre page says its UTC at Petersfield is open 12 hours a day, every day of the year, from 8am to 8pm, with the X-ray department open seven days a week from 9am to 4pm. The trust adds that Petersfield railway station is a five-minute walk from the hospital and that buses stop at the station.

What can an urgent treatment centre treat?

Portsmouth Hospitals says UTCs can help with urgent illnesses or injuries that are not life-threatening and can deal with many of the common problems people take to an emergency department, such as broken bones and sprains. It also says a doctor at a UTC can organise a prescription if needed and that emergency contraception is available. One limit it states is that UTCs can only do X-rays for limbs. Petersfield's trust adds strains and sprains, skin infections, ear and throat infections, eye problems, minor burns and suspected broken limbs to the list.

Both trusts encourage people to use NHS 111 first. At Petersfield, the trust says patients are encouraged to call 111 and will be clinically assessed by a triage nurse or other health professional if they walk in without an appointment, and that walk-ins would only be prioritised over pre-booked appointments where clinically necessary.

When should I use NHS 111?

The NHS says 111 can help if you think you need medical help right now and are not sure what to do, including when your GP is closed. You can use 111 online or call 111, and calls are free from landlines and mobiles. Portsmouth Hospitals says 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Depending on your symptoms you might get a callback from a nurse, and you might be advised to go to an urgent treatment centre or A&E, to get help from an evening and weekend GP, or to contact an emergency dentist. If you do need to go to the emergency department, the trust says 111 can book an arrival time, which is not an appointment but helps avoid overcrowding. 111 online is for people aged 5 and over; for a child under 5, the NHS says to call 111.

When should I call 999?

999 is for life-threatening emergencies such as serious road traffic accidents, strokes and heart attacks. The call handler will ask for the location of the emergency, what has happened and a contact number. The NHS says calling 999 does not always mean an ambulance will be sent, as you might be told to make your own way to A&E or to be seen elsewhere. Deaf people can use 18000 to contact 999 by text relay, according to the trust. If you are unsure whether to call 999, 111 can check your symptoms.

What about GPs, pharmacies and dentists?

If it is not an emergency, your GP surgery or a pharmacist may be quicker. See our guides to GP surgeries in Horndean, late-night and Sunday pharmacies and NHS dentists near Horndean.

Quick answers

Where is the Portsmouth Hospitals A&E? Queen Alexandra Hospital, Southwick Hill Road, Cosham, PO6 3LY, which the trust says offers emergency department access 24 hours a day, every day.

Which urgent treatment centres does Portsmouth Hospitals name? St Mary's (8am to 8pm), Gosport War Memorial (8am to 10pm) and Petersfield Community Hospital (8am to 8pm).

Should I call 111 or 999? Call 999 for life-threatening emergencies. Use 111 online or by phone when you need help now but are not sure where to go.

Is Petersfield's unit open every day? The trust says the Petersfield Urgent Treatment Centre is open 8am to 8pm every day of the year.