The NHS is doing all it can to make sure it is able to support all those who will need hospital treatment as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Organisations across the NHS are taking a number of steps to prepare for increased demand and you may be redirected if you attend the emergency department (ED) with a minor injury.

If you have a minor injury, please do not attend our ED at University Hospital Southampton. Instead, if you need urgent, non-emergency care, please visit:

Royal South Hants Urgent Treatment Centre

Lymington Urgent Treatment Centre

Our emergency nurse practitioners will be on-hand to provide first aid but if you require further care you will be directed to one of these services and provided with advice.

Urgent treatment centres and minor injuries units can help with a number of conditions including those below, but you are advised to call ahead before attending:

· Cuts and grazes

· Sprains and strains

· Broken bones or fractures

· Bites and stings

· Infected wounds

· Minor head injuries

· Minor eye problems

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (a high temperature or a new, continuous cough), please do not attend the emergency department or any of these other services.

Do not leave your home if you have either:

a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual

Use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out more.

Our emergency department remains open. If you or someone you know is experiencing a medical emergency you/they can still attend our ED or alternatively please dial 999.

Medical emergencies can include:

loss of consciousness
an acute confused state
fits that aren't stopping
chest pain
breathing difficulties
severe bleeding that can't be stopped
severe allergic reactions
severe burns or scalds

Call 999 immediately if you or someone else is having a heart attack or stroke. Every second counts with these conditions.

Also call 999 if you think someone has had a major trauma, such as after a serious road traffic accident, a stabbing, a shooting, a fall from height, or a serious head injury.

Thank you for your understanding.

Please seek alternatives to our emergency department for minor injuries