Emergency Department (A&E)

The Emergency Department deals with life-threatening emergencies such as:

• loss of consciousness
• acute confused state and fits that are not stopping 
• severe chest pain
• breathing difficulties
• severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
• severe allergic reactions
• severe burns or scalds

Less severe injuries can be treated in urgent care centres or minor injuries units (MIUs). The Emergency Department is not an alternative to a GP appointment. If your GP practice is closed, you can call NHS 111, which will direct you to the best local service to treat your injury. Click here for local information about other services and departments.

From 2026, the Royal Bournemouth Hospital (RBH) will become the Trust's major emergency centre. Focusing on emergency care at RBH will mean emergency cases will be centered on the site with increased consultant and specialist team cover, seven days a week. This will reduce numbers of patients transferring between hospitals, put less demand on ambulances and hospital services, and so achieve better outcomes for patients.

The Urgent Treatment Centre will remain on the Poole Hospital site, and will continue to provide timely access to urgent care for patients with minor injuries or minor illness. This will ease the pressure on the Emergency Department at the Royal Bournemouth, freeing up the team there to treat more unwell patients, most of whom will arrive by ambulance.

Find out more about the transformation of our hospital services here. 

Contact telephone number:0300 019 2202

Visiting:Please see Trust Visitors Charter here

How to find us:The entrance to the Emergency Department (ED) is to the right of Poole Hospital's main reception entrance on Longfleet Road.