About our A&E department

We provide a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary accident and emergency (A&E) and urgent treatment centre service in our modern buildings. A&E is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is staffed by experienced doctors and nurses who deliver initial assessment and treatment to all patients who require medical care. 

It is one of the busiest A&E departments in London, seeing about 180,000 adults and children each year. There is a dedicated 24/7 paediatric emergency service. Children are triaged in the A&E department and are seen in either paediatric A&E or the urgent treatment centre. All children are cared for by paediatric nurses.

Conditions we treat

Initial assessment and treatment plan for medical, surgical and psychological conditions:

  • 16 hours of consultant presence, seven days a week
  • a rapid assessment and treatment team which operates 12 hours a day, seven days a week
  • all ambulance patients seen by senior clinicians and have a treatment plan put in place within minutes of arrival
  • a clinical observation unit for patients who require prolonged observation by the emergency department (ED) to support clinical  decisions
  • a fast transfer to specialty assessment units for patients who need to be seen by specialty teams
  • a dedicated radiology department so that diagnostic imaging can be carried out in the department.  The service is co-located with surgery, intensive care and diagnostic imaging
  • emergency eye service, five days a week, accessible through A&E

The GP-led urgent treatment centre operates within our A&E department. It provides treatment of minor illnesses, injuries and non-life-threatening conditions which require urgent or immediate attention. It is open 13 hours a day, every day of the year from 9am to 10pm. The urgent treatment centre is run by GPs and specialist nurses. Approximately 40% of patients who attend the emergency department will be directed to the urgent treatment centre during its opening hours.

Routine testing for HIV, Hepatitis B and C

If you have a blood test while in our Emergency Department (A&E) it is now checked for HIV and Hepatitis B and C. The tests are routine, the same as your usual blood test.

Many people with these conditions do not know they have them because symptoms can take years to show.

It is important to diagnose HIV or Hepatitis B or C early as teatment is life-saving and free from the NHS. With medication you can expect to live long and well and it helps stop passing it on too. 

Your results are strictly confidential meaning they are private and only healthcare professionals who help you know.

If you do not want to be tested please let a member of staff know. 

Why is my blood being tested for HIV, Hepatitis B and C?

HIV, Hepatitis B and C are manageable long-term conditions and it’s best to diagnose them as early as possible before they begin to harm your health. Without treatment, the effects can become life-threatening. All patients over 16 years old are checked as part of routine blood testing for our Emergency Department. This is in line with NICE national guidance. With the right treatment you can expect to live long and well.

What if I do not want to know my HIV status?

It is always better to know your HIV status to check if you need life-saving treatment. 

If you decide you do not want a test, please let the member of staff taking your bloods know.

Will I get a result if the test is negative?

No, we will only contact you if it is positive. Sometimes the result can be unclear, in this situation we would contact you to ask to re-test you.

What happens if my test is positive?

Your results are confidential and we will only share your result with our NHS specialists so that you receive the right care.

We will contact you to ask you to return for a repeat test in order to confirm the diagnosis and discuss your treatment. Therapies are extremely safe and effective and allow your body to repair the damage to your immune system. People on effective medication live well.

What if I do not want to know whether I have these conditions?

We are encouraging everyone who does not already know whether they have these conditions to have the test. Knowing and getting treatment can save your life. If you don’t want this, please tell the person who is taking your blood so they can ensure that you are not tested.

What if I have further questions or I am worried?

For HIV concerns, you can call the HIV team at the Alexander Pringle Centre on 0208 887 3236. If you've got any concerns related to Hepaittis B or C, or both, then call our hepatology team on 0208 887 3047.

What if I’m an overseas patient?

Treatment is free to everyone. We will not share your personal information with any external agencies or other government organisations.

If I test positive, who will be able to see my positive result?

Only NHS staff that already have access to your confidential health record will see your result. This will include your GP and other hospital Trusts involved in your care.

What if my contact details change?

It is important that we have the correct contact details (telephone number at least) so that we can speak to you about your test. Please make sure that we have the correct contact details for you and let us know if they change in the week after your test.

You can make sure that your contact details are correct by checking with our reception staff or the doctor or nurses looking after you. Please call 0208 887 2544 if they do change so that we can update your details.

Where can I find further information about these conditions?

There are various sources of information regarding HIV. These can be found at Do it London, the NHS website or the Terrance Higgins Trust.

You can also visit the NHS website for information about Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.

Eye care emergencies

You can visit our Emergency Eye Clinic if you have an urgent eye condition or emergency only, such as: 

  • Loss of vision, less than 24-48 hours duration
  • Pain in eye, less than 24-48 hours duration
  • Eye injury/ trauma
  • Chemical injury to eye,
  • Foreign body in eye
  • Floaters getting worse. 

If you do not have one of the above listed conditions, then please contact us by telephone for advice before attending.

Phone numbers:

  • 020 8887 3417
  • 020 8887 2274

For other conditions that are not an emergency, please contact your GP or optometrist (see local optometry services). Please bring your GP or optometrist referral letter with you if you are referred to the Eye Emergency Clinic. 

Opening hours

  • Monday-Thursday: 8.30am – 4pm (break 13:00-13:30)
  • Friday 8.30am-12pm   

Location

  • Clinic 2, main outpatients

For eye emergencies outside these hours please visit our A&E department or  see other nearby eye emergency services.

Refer a patient

GPs can refer at any time through our switchboard. Patients can refer themselves for emergency and life-saving interventions.

Meet our team

  • Dr Clara Oliver – consultant and clinical director (A&E)
  • Dr Andres Martin - consultant (A&E)
  • Dr Adrienn Fricska Nagy - consultant (A&E)
  • Dr James Harrison - consultant (A&E)
  • Dr Catherine Pearce - consultant (A&E)
  • Dr Sathiya Rajaraman - consultant (A&E)
  • Dr Khaled Soliman - consultant (A&E)
  • Dr Anmar Alkhamesi - consultant (A&E)
  • Dr Ehsan Hassan - consultant (A&E)
  • Dr Turan Huseyin - consultant (A&E)
  • Dr Rajesh Thanasingh - consultant (A&E)
  • Dr Ghasan Jassim – consultant (A&E)
  • Dr Jen Currigan – consultant (A&E)
  • Dr Natalia Barry - consultant (A&E)
  • Dr Ahmed Abdul-Ghani - consultant (A&E)
  • Mr Arunachalam Sathyanandha - consultant (A&E)
  • Dr Charlotte Clements - consultant paediatrician and clinicial director for babies, children and young people
  • Dr Katie Knight – consultant paediatrician and clinical lead for paediatric A&E
  • Dr Poonam Patel – consultant paediatrician (paediatric A&E)
  • Anna May Charles - associate director of nursing for A&E
  • Lily Onoh - matron for A&E
  • Natasha Knutt - senior matron for A&E
  • Vinayak Bhandwalkar - lead emergency nurse practitioner
  • Jack Hilton - service manager for emergency medicine
  • Nick Vincent - general manager

How did we do?

Please contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) to tell us about your experience of our services.

You can do this by calling 0208 887 3172 or via e-mail northmid.pals@nhs.net.

Your views will help us to improve our services so get in touch now!