Our Services
Urgent and Emergency Care
We provide urgent and emergency care at Royal Bolton Hospital in our Emergency Department, Children’s Emergency Department, Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) and Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) unit.
Emergency Department
Our Emergency Department is currently experiencing extremely high levels of activity. Waiting time is approx. 4+ hours.
This data is updated periodically, and is designed to give an indication of how busy the department is.
No matter how busy our Emergency Department is, the most seriously ill and injured patients will always be seen immediately. If you choose to visit us and do not need urgent or emergency treatment, you will be safely supported to access an alternative service.
Our Emergency Department deals with life-threatening emergencies such as:
- Severe chest pains
- Difficulty breathing
- Bleeding you can’t stop
- Possible broken bones
- Loss of consciousness
- Stroke symptoms
- Severe tummy pain or headache
- A child who is very unwell
Choosing the most appropriate place for care allows our ambulance and emergency department staff to concentrate on people whose lives are at risk, and can potentially save you a long wait.
Our Emergency Department is not an alternative to a GP appointment.
If your GP is closed you can go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111, which will direct you to the best local service.
Check In
When you arrive at the emergency department as a patient, after registration you will be assessed by a nurse who will determine the nature of your illness or injury and how urgent it is for you to be seen.
Assessment
During this assessment if necessary you will be seen by one of the specialist areas of our emergency department according to the nature of your injury/illness.
Treatment
- Resuscitation – for people with life threating injuries or illness
- Majors – for people with very urgent injuries or illness
- Minors – for people with less urgent injuries or illness
- Primary care – for people whose injuries or illness can be assessed by a GP
Outcome
People who need further treatment will be admitted to a hospital ward. Most people will be able to leave the Emergency Department after treatment.
Our Paediatric Emergency Department cares for children and young people who need special care for serious medical or surgical conditions.
Visiting the emergency department with your child or young person can be daunting, but our trained staff are on hand to care for them and support you whilst they are assessed and receive treatment.
We have two resuscitation beds, five cubicles and three observation areas.
Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC)
Our Urgent Treatment Centre is equipped to deal with both illnesses and minor injuries.
You may be referred to our UTC if you attend our Emergency Department with a minor condition, where you will be offered a pre-booked appointment.
Appointments are also available by calling 111.
Please arrive within 10 minutes of your allocated appointment. Due to pressures, we cannot always guarantee you will be seen immediately.
If you feel your condition changes or worsens, we would advise you return to the Emergency Department for re-assessment, or call 111 or 999. 111.nhs.uk can also provide online advice for your care.
If you need to change or cancel your appointment, please call 01204 390300 to speak to our team.
Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC)
Our Same Day Emergency Care unit provides rapid assessment and treatment of patients who do not need admission to hospital.
The team can diagnose and treat patients as well as prevent deterioration that could lead to an emergency admission.
We are able to treat a number of conditions including:
- Abdominal Pain
- Breathing problems/exacerbation of COPD
- Cellulitis
- Chest Infections
- Deep Venous (Vein) Thrombosis
- Exacerbation of Asthma
- Falls
- Gastroenteritis
- Headaches
- Urinary Retention and Tract Infections
Care in the community
If your care isn’t urgent or an emergency, you can access support by booking an appointment with your GP or by visiting a local pharmacy.
Local pharmacies can provide advice and treatment for a range of common conditions and may be able to provide prescription medicine without needing to see a GP.
You can find your nearest pharmacy on the NHS website.
If you have an illness or injury and need medical help outside of normal working hours there are lots of local services available to you such as pharmacies and out of hours GP services.
The GP out of hours service can be contacted by phoning your own GP surgery and following the instructions on the answering machine.
Alternatively, you can phone BARDOC directly on 0161 763 8940.
Access to urgent dental care is available for patients across Greater Manchester, supported by the Urgent Dental Care Helpline (0333 332 3800).
Bolton has one urgent dental care site, but patients may access any of the 13 in Greater Manchester.
Service locations
We are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for the treatment of serious and potentially life threatening conditions.
Key contact numbers
Seriously ill or injured and life is at risk
Tel: 999
Urgent medical problem and not sure what to do
Tel: 111
Paediatric Emergency Department
Tel: 01204 390415
GP Out of Hours
Tel: 0161 763 8940
Urgent Dental Care Helpline
Tel: 0333 332 3800