Patients are prioritised in order of clinical need and are categorised from those needing urgent resuscitation, to those who could be best treated elsewhere or could care for themselves.
The most clinically urgent patients will be seen as a priority and the wait will be longer for less urgent problems. The team will also, where possible, prioritise those who are vulnerable or frail.
Wherever your condition falls into these categories will have a significant impact on the length of time you will spend waiting for treatment.
How long you wait at the Emergency Unit will also be determined by:
How busy the unit is
How many people with a higher triage category than you are present (please bear in mind some patients arriving by ambulance will be taken directly to the Resus and Majors areas, so won’t be visible in the waiting area)
The investigations you are waiting for. On average the following investigations will take:
Blood test 1-2 hours
CT scan 2-3 hours
MRI scan 4-6 hours
X-Ray within 30 minutes of request, but will need reviewing by a Doctor or Practitioner when possible.
(these times will vary depending on demand, and can take longer during buy periods)
We understand that waiting a long time for treatment can be frustrating, but please ensure you always treat staff with respect.
Violence and aggression towards staff or other members of the public will not be tolerated and if experienced, you will be asked to leave and/or security/police will be called.
Rydym yn croesawu galwadau ffôn yn Gymraeg, Saesneg a Iaith Arwyddion Prydain (BSL) via SignVideo.
We welcome phone calls in Welsh, English and British Sign Language (BSL) via SignVideo.