Advice re: triage in A & E
 

Is there anyone here who's worked in or had dealings with A & E?

I think I read somewhere that if you go in with chest pains you'll be treated as a priority case. Is that correct?

Note: it's not me who's having the chest pains, thankfully, but I'd rather not say why I'm asking until I'm sure of my facts.

Re: Advice re: triage in A & E
 

I don't know anything about chest pains being a priority - i would assume the nurse that sees you before you go into the queue (in my experience) will prioritise.

I know that a young child will be seen before someone older, for example, and that a 999 call will have been assessed en-route and may well be rushed straight in.

If in doubt about chest pains - I'd call the ambulance service.
The doctor's night-time stand-in might be of help if you're worried about something right now, but if you're really worried - phone for an ambulance.

Re: Advice re: triage in A & E
 

Here, at Frimley Park Hospital everybody is assessed and prioritized within 5 minutes...

Re: Advice re: triage in A & E
 

I once rang our doctor's surgery complaining of chest pain and the receptionist said come in straight away. I was seen very quickly but, luckily, I had just pulled some muscles!

Re: Advice re: triage in A & E
 

AFAIK pretty much all A&E departments prioritise. They use triage to establish the priority and then you go from there. Chest pains are usually seen as a high priority.

Re: Advice re: triage in A & E
 

If your worried about symptoms, but not that convinced you should be going to hospital call NHS Direct, it's what they are there for.

Re: Advice re: triage in A & E
 

I know our A&E dept uses colour coded spots on admission forms - traffic light signalling priority cases.

Re: Advice re: triage in A & E
 

This may be of some use for quick self diagnosis. If you are still uncertain, you really do need to seek medical advice as a matter of priority.

Re: Advice re: triage in A & E
 

I do shifts in A&E regularly..

Yes, chest pain will be treated as a priority. Especially if they have a sudden onset with no apparent history of trauma etc.

Noone will chastise you for using A&E or an even ambulance if you have chest pains. It's the calling 999 for broken fingernails we have problems with...

PM me if you wish.