What to do in an Emergency

There are lots of choices and places for treatment in Plymouth including NHS 111, available 24-hours-a-day, 365 days a year. The most important thing is that you get the care you need, as quickly as possible.  

Emergency Department

Call 999 or come to the emergency department if you have a life-threatening condition. If your condition can be treated at an alternative service, such as your GP or a Minor Injury Unit, you may be directed elsewhere.

Come to the emergency department if you have a life-threatening condition like:

• severe breathlessness
• chest pain
• severe blood loss
• symptoms of stroke
• collapse

What happens when you arrive at the Emergency Department

The Emergency Department at Derriford Hospital is open 24hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone seeking healthcare for an urgent or life-threatening medical problem related to an accident or illness.

The Emergency Department can be very busy and should be used only by those patients seeking emergency medical attention. It should not be used instead of your GP, as many more minor or older problems are better treated by your own doctor.

If you need help to get someone to hospital in an emergency, telephone 999 and ask for an ambulance. Follow any instructions the ambulance service call handler may give you.

Learn more about our Emergency Department

Emergency Eye Care

Anyone requiring urgent care should contact their local Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS), optician or NHS111 first. If further care is required at the REI (eye infirmary) you will be referred into a rapid access clinic. The rapid access clinics are by appointment only Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm, Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays 9am to 1pm

Outside of these hours patients with an eye emergency or sight threatening conditions should attend their Minor Injury Unit, out of hours Doctor Service, contact NHS111 or attend the Emergency Department at Derriford Hospital.

Emergency Dentist

Emergency dental treatment for unregistered patients is available at Plymouth’s Dental Access Centre. Call Devon Dental 01392 823682 for an appointment.