The following should be used as a guide by Patients and GP Reception Staff to identify when a patient should be sent straight to A&E or urgent care – and not wait to see a GP.
Eyes
Sudden loss of vision, foreign body in the eye, trauma resulting in rapid swelling, any chemical injury – direct patient straight to A&E.
Mouth
Signs of anaphylaxis / allergic reaction – rapid lip and tongue swelling, wheezing, difficulty breathing – 999/ direct patient straight to A&E.
Throat
Any difficulty breathing, very noisy breathing, unable to swallow own saliva – direct patient straight to A&E.
Ears
Any bleeding from ear(s), any bruising behind the ear(s) – direct patient straight to A&E.
Chest & Breathing
Any noisy breathing, struggling to speak in full sentences – 999/ direct patient straight to A&E.
Child – any sucking under ribcage when breathing / very fast breathing – 999/ direct patient straight to A&E.
Heart / Chest pain
Any fast heartbeat that is making the patient feel unwell – 999 / direct patient straight to A&E Central crushing chest pain, radiating to left arm or jaw, associated with nausea and/or vomiting or sweating and feeling very unwell – 999 / direct patient straight to A&E.
Suspected Sepsis
If patient is saying they feel very unwell, please ask the following questions:
S: Shivering / hot / cold
E: Extreme pain or general discomfort
P: Pale or discoloured skin
S: Sleepy, difficulty waking and/or any confusion
I: Patient feeling very unwell ‘I feel like I might die’
S: Short of breath
Abdominal Pain
Patient says tummy feels very hard to touch and very painful. Patient complains of recurrent vomiting, high fever, and extreme abdominal pain, sweaty / clammy – 999 / direct patient straight to A&E.
Patients who present in practice or by telephone with these symptoms seeking an appointment will not be given one in Primary Care – they will be advised to go to Urgent Care or A&E.