How do you take a child/yourself to hospital?

[Serenissima123]

This is a really random and naive question. I'm not even a mother yet! But I was wondering, when you hear doctors say things like "if you have serious concerns, or if this happens, go to hospital", do they mean go to A and E? Or phone your local hospital and turn up there? What if it's after GP hours and too urgent to book an appointment and wait? How do you know which hospital to go to? I thought you had to be referred by a gp in the UK, so what about emergencies?
I am ttc, and have heard stories about people's babies dying unexpectedly, or needing to take them to hospital, and I think it would give me peace of mind if I knew at least how one does that! Haha.

A and E basically.

If it’s not very urgent or life threatening ring 111 and they’ll tell you what to do.

GP for all non urgent stuff.

If you need to go to A and E you can just turn up at any hospital with an a and e department.

For example the other day my optician said if my eye becomes sore I should go straight to hospital, as eye infections become dangerous very quickly, and I was too embarrassed to ask exactly how I should do that....

@Bagelsandbrie

If you need to go to A and E you can just turn up at any hospital with an a and e department.

I see, so basically just A and E. Makes sense. Thanks!

If your eye becomes sore you go to a&e.

When the time comes you will know.

I called an ambulance for my 13 month old son last night because he had bad croup and was struggling to breathe. They came and took us to A&E.

My older child has also had croup a while back and I drove her to my nearest A&E because she wasn't as bad and didn't need an ambulance but still needed urgent care.

You just instinctively know what to do. If you're ever unsure and it's out of hours then you phone 111

You go to A&E. If it's for a child, make sure it's a children's hospital.

A&E; when I moved house I always worked out which hospitals have an a&e closest to my house so I knew in an emergency

If it's an emergency then you'd call 999 and the ambulance would then take you to the hospital.

If its not serious enough to warrant a 999 call but you still need to be seen sharpish then you can just turn up at your nearest A&E, no appointment needed.

If you need to speak to a doctor because you need advice but your GP practice is closed then you call out of hours to speak to a doctor/nurse and then you'll either be told to stay at home or go to hospital.

So for a child, it has to be an A&E of a children's hospital?

No it doesn’t have to be a children’s hospital!!

Not too many of those around!

Any A&E dept will see a child. All general hospitals have a paediatric dept and some have paediatric A&E too. Our local does and it’s not a special children’s hospital.

Just take them to your local A&E or minor injuries unit as appropriate and they will advise if you need to be transferred to a specialist area.

No most general hospitals will have paediatric a and e facilities within the department. A gp can however refer your child straight to paediatric outpatients or an adult to relevant specialist clinic, urgently if needs be, bypassing a and e.

@FlatStanletta
@Lizs
I see, thank you very much! It's much clearer now.

@Serenissima123

So for a child, it has to be an A&E of a children's hospital?

Sorry, vad wording. I meant a hospital that has a paediatric dept. Some don't. I once hurredly took my child to an A&E (of a major hospital) and they were all asking why I took him to that hospital as there wasn't a paediatric dept. there.

Minor injuries/walk in centres don't treat pregnant women or children under a certain age.

@HumunaHey

You go to A&E. If it's for a child, make sure it's a children's hospital.

Not every city has a children's hospital. Just go to your local A&E. they will have a children's area, if not a separate department.