Emergency Department
No matter how busy our Emergency Department is, the most seriously ill and injured patients will always be seen immediately. But if you attend our Emergency Department and your case is deemed clinically to be a non-emergency issue, you will instead be supported to access an alternative, more appropriate service when safe to do so. Click here for more information.
When visiting our Emergency Department, the below safety measures will be in place.
Emergency Department Live Status
The below is an indicator of our live Emergency Department status. This data is updated periodically, and is designed to give an indication of how busy the department is. *Waiting times are subject to change.*
Our Emergency Department is currently very busy. Waiting times are approx. 2-4 hours. Higher priority patients will be seen first.
What to expect when you come to Alder Hey's Emergency Department
Everyone who comes to Alder Hey's Emergency Department is triaged on arrival, so patients can be seen in order of priority.
We understand that long waits can be frustrating, however it means that the children going ahead are more unwell, even if that isn’t always visible.
Some of the sickest children come directly through another entrance and you may not be aware of their arrival in the department.
We designate arrivals into one of the below categories, which has an influence on wait times:
- Green / see and treat category – we feel your child is safe to wait for a consultation, these children will wait the longest within the department
- Yellow category – your child needs to be seen and will be prioritised but there will still be a wait
- Orange category – Your child needs to be seen urgently, they will be seen as soon as a clinician is available. They will be taken into a room as soon as possible
- Red category – your child is very unwell and needs to be seen immediately
What our ED does
- Provide excellent emergency care for children and young people
- Offer a child-friendly emergency department
- Offer language line service on tablets
- Sensory room available (subject to COVID regulations – currently closed)
- Play specialists
- Food/drink and nappies for patients
- Limited emergency parking available
What our ED doesn't do
Sadly, we are unable to help with in following circumstances:
- In-growing toenails
- Dental problems without abscess/swelling – contact own dentist or emergency dentist
- Long term problems - these are generally better seen by a GP and referred to specialty teams/ clinics
- Delays in outpatients referrals – should be raised directly with specialty team/ referrer
- Phlebotomy/blood tests
- X-rays after midnight, except in exceptional circumstances
- See patients quicker if they arrive by ambulance
*Please note* - we will not tolerate any form of abuse towards our staff.
Advice for parents on colds, temperatures, vomiting and other conditions
Colds
Temparatures/Fevers
gastroenteritis (Vomiting & Diarrhoea)
RSV
Please note, we can only offer treatment to young people under the age of 16, after which they will need to attend an adult Emergency department. You can find your nearest Adult A&E service on the NHS choices website.
Where to find Alder Hey's Emergency Department
Our Emergency Department has a dedicated entrance at Alder Hey in the Park.
To access the Emergency Department by car, enter the hospital site from the Eaton Road entrance where there is a short stay car park and drop-off facility. For sat-navs, the post code to use is L12 2AP.
Please note, we can only offer treatment to young people under the age of 16, after which they will need to attend an adult Emergency department. You can find your nearest Adult A&E service on the NHS Choices website.
