The main role of this department is to provide access to emergency care for patients 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by assessing and treating serious illness and injury. In Orkney, the Emergency Department deals with presentations ranging from very minor injuries to more serious trauma with the more serious cases being admitted to the High Dependency Unit or another ward area, being taken to Theatre and/or transferred to NHS Grampian Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
When you attend the Emergency Department you will be assessed (and triaged) to determine how serious your condition is. Priority is usually given to those with the most serious illness or injury. Emergency Department staff work closely with other health care professionals to ensure you have access to the most appropriate care for your situation.
If you think you need to visit A&E but it’s not life threatening, you can phone NHS 24 on 111 for free, day or night.
Phone 111
If you:
- think you need to go to A&E but it’s not life threatening
- are too ill to wait for your GP practice to open
NHS 24 will help you get the right care in the right place, often closer to home and without the need to go to A&E.
Or, you can still contact your GP practice during opening hours.
If it’s a life threatening emergency, you should phone 999 or go directly to A&E.
For more information
01856 888097