In the event of an accident or serious emergency, dial 999 to reach the emergency services. This call is free. You will be asked if you require an ambulance, the police or the fire brigade. Be ready to give your name and address and the nature of your emergency.
If someone is injured and needs to go to hospital, ambulance staff will arrive and take the person to an Accident and Emergency department. If you are not seriously injured, you are expected to make your own way to Accident and Emergency. These departments are open twenty-four hours a day and deal with patients needing emergency treatment.
Accident and Emergency Departments within the Bristol area are based at Frenchay Hospital and the Bristol Royal Infirmary. In Bath they are located at the Royal United Hospital and in Swindon at the Great Western Hospital. In Gloucester the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital provice emergency services.
Most doctors also run an 'on-call' service, so that you can contact a doctor 24 hours a day. Your doctor (GP) will give you details when you register.
Further information is available from NHS Direct, tel. (0845) 4647, 24-hours a day.