Emergency Department
We provide urgent care for people with life-threatening injuries or illness.
If you think you may need to go to the Emergency Department, but your condition is not life-threatening, please call 111 where highly trained call handlers will ensure you access the right care in the right place.
If your condition is not life-threatening and you choose to stay you may face a long wait as people with more urgent conditions are given priority. You may also be redirected following triage if our expert clinical team don’t think you’re in the right place.
NHS Lanarkshire has three Emergency Departments (A&Es) for critical emergencies.
- University Hospital Hairmyres
- University Hospital Monklands
- University Hospital Wishaw
An emergency is a critical or life threatening situation. An emergency department is not the place to go for minor illnesses or if you have a minor injury.
If it is not a critical emergency, please call NHS 24 on 111 to be referred to the right care service.
For further information on where to access the right medical care, visit https://www.nhsinform.scot/right-care
Check In
Our reception team will check you in and ask for personal details, such as your name, address, and details about your injury or illness.
There may be a wait at busy times before your name is called, as those who are most unwell are prioritised for assessment. This means you may wait longer if you have a less serious condition.
If your condition is not an emergency, you may be more appropriately treated elsewhere – please call NHS 24 on 111 if this is the case.
Very unwell people may be immediately taken to a treatment room, where staff may be called to complete their registration.
There is a separate minor injury service with different staff. This may result in patients with minor injuries being called in before others who have waited longer.
Many patients who are referred by their GP are seen by in-patient teams and may also be seen out of check in order.
Our staff work hard to provide the best care for our patients. Please treat them with respect and kindness. We have a zero tolerance policy towards violence and aggression.
Triage
Our staff will assess the urgency of your injury or illness and talk to you about the type of treatment you need.
We aim to assess you as soon as possible following your check in.
When the nurse has assessed your injury or illness, we will know what sort of treatment or ongoing care you may need.
Please wait for your name to be called.
Treatment
Once you have been assessed, our expert clinical team will deliver the necessary treatment or care.
Waiting times for different treatments can vary. Other people may be called before you depending on their needs.
Sometimes a serious emergency will need additional support from doctors and nurses. These emergencies can affect waiting times for other patients. If this happens, we will let you know.
During treatment, your clinician will keep you updated with your care pathway and options.
Please wait for your name to be called.
Outcome
Most people will be able to go home following treatment.
People who need further treatment will be admitted to a hospital ward.
Identify staff in the Emergency Department
Staff Nurses
Our uniforms:
- Sky blue tunic
- Navy blue trousers
Our role:
Healthcare professionals working within all areas of the Emergency Department
Reception, porters and domestic staff
Our uniforms:
- Dark/mid-green top/tunic
- Navy blue trousers
Our role:
Non-clinical staff supporting the day-to-day running of Emergency Department
Senior doctors, doctors and clinicians
Our uniforms:
- Senior doctors:
- Smart clothes or scrubs (colours vary)
- Doctors/clinicians:
- Scrubs (colours vary)
Our role:
We assess and treat patients. Doctors and clinicians work under the supervision of senior doctors
Senior and charge nurses
Our uniforms:
- Senior nurses:
- Navy blue tunic
- Navy Blue Trousers
- Charge nurses:
- Sky blue tunic
- Navy blue trousers
Our role:
We manage the day-to-day running of the Emergency Department and our staff
Medical students and student nurses
Our uniforms:
- Medical students:
-
- Black scrubs
- Student nurses:
- Grey tunic
- Navy blue trousers
Our role:
Trainee doctors/nurses working under the supervision of senior staff
Healthcare assistants
Our uniforms:
- Pale blue tunic
- Navy blue trousers
Our role:
We support healthcare professionals in diagnosing, treating and caring for patients
Meet the Experts - Your guide to local healthcare services
Contact information
In an Emergency call 999
For out-of-hours urgent medical care call NHS24 on 111
For health information, call NHS inform on 0800 22 44 88
