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Your Visit to the Emergency Department

An exterior image of a building. A red sign that reads 'Emergency Department (A&E)' is written above the door. There is also yellow markings on the floor outside the building, indicating parking spaces for ambulances.

This leaflet explains what you need to know about visit our Emergency Department

The Emergency Department is at the hospital It is for people who need healthcare very quickly, people who have hurt themselves, or are really unwell.

An ambulance parked outside an Emergency Department.

If you are hurt badly or are really unwell, you may need to go to hospital in an ambulance.

A person in a striped sweater sitting in a motorized wheelchair and another person in a purple tracksuit standing beside them, both looking at the camera.

You may come by car with a carer or family member.

An entrance to a department in a hospital. Above the door there is a sign that reads 'Emergency Department (A&E).

When you get to the hospital you will go to the reception desk.

The person at reception will ask you:

Your name
Your address
Your date of birth.

A person in a wheelchair looking at a smartphone, with thought bubble saying "I need ...", next to icons including a clock and an 'easy read' document.

Let them know if you need any ‘reasonable adjustments’.

Things like:

Help with communication
If you get very scared
If you need a quiet space to wait.

An image of a form which reads 'This is me: My Care Passport'.

Remember to bring your ‘This Is Me, My Care Passport’ if you have one or your ‘Yellow Health Book’.

A receptionist sitting behind a desk in a waiting room.

The person at reception will then tell you where to wait to be seen.

A corridor in a hospital. There are a line a chairs on the right.

This area can get quite busy.

A wooden door in a corridor. There is a sign that reads 'Toilet' next to the door.

Don’t worry, there are toilets in the main waiting room.

A brightly lit room with seats, a table and toys.

There is a children’s waiting area that has toys and books.

A room with several yellow couches in and a chair.

There is a quiet space in the department. Please ask at reception or a nurse in charge if this space is available.

If you need some more tests or need to see someone else, the nurse may ask you to wait in the waiting room.

A brightly lit room in a hospital. There is medical equipment in the room, as well as a bed.

If you come by ambulance or are very unwell the nurse may take you straight to a treatment room.

A doctor will examine and treat you.

A brightly lit room in a hospital. There is medical equipment in the room, as well as a bed, sink and computer.

If you have been waiting, the nurse will call you when it is your turn and will take you to a treatment room.

You might have some tests like a blood test or they might treat a wound.

A door with a blue sign that reads 'X-Ray Room 1'. Underneath is a 'STOP DO NOT ENTER' sign.

If you need an X-ray, a member of staff will show you where to wait.

Four blue seats in a corridor. Above the seats is a scenic photo.

There is a small waiting area outside of the X-ray room. A member of the X-ray team will call you through from here.

A brightly lit room in a hospital. Above a bed is a machine used for x-rays. There area colourful pictures drawn on the wall.

Let them know if you are scared or unsure of what will happen.

After the X-ray you may be asked to wait in the waiting room again until the doctor can give you the results.

A hospital room with equipment and a bed.

If you have broken a bone, you may need to have a plaster cast put on. This is done in the plaster room.

The plaster technician or nurse will explain what you need to do to look after your plaster cast

Remember to ask any questions before you leave.

They will give you a leaflet to take home.

If you have to wait a long time for tests you may have to wait in the observation ward.

There is a water machine and accessible toilet in this area.

If you are well enough to go home, the nurse or doctor will talk to you about:

Any medication you will need to take
If you need to do anything to manage your condition
If you need to see your GP or come back to hospital.

A number of public transport vehicles - a bus, train, car and taxi.

You will need to arrange your own transport home, even if you came in by ambulance.

Talk to the nurse if you need help to do this.

A person in a wheelchair is talking on a landline phone, showing an expression of concern. In the background, another person is also speaking on the phone, depicted within a circular inset. Both individuals appear engaged in serious conversations.

We hope that you have found this information useful.

If you have any questions or are worried about anything, please speak to your family doctor (GP) or the following Dorset County Hospital staff:

Emergency Department main reception: 01305 255541

Patient Experience team: 0800 7838058

A person holding a sign that says 'easy read' above images of various people interacting and smiling, with text lines below.

About this leaflet

Author: Candi Sidey Learning Disability and Autism Acute Health Facilitator
Written: February 2024
Updated and approved: July 2025
Review date: July 2027
Edition: v3

If you have feedback regarding the accuracy of the information contained in this leaflet, or if you would like a list of references used to develop this leaflet, please email patientinformation.leaflets@dchft.nhs.uk

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