Our emergency department at North Middlesex University Hospital (also known as A&E) is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for seriously ill patients with critical or life-threatening emergencies. This is either an accident or medical/surgical emergencies. 

If you have an urgent but non-life-threatening issue, contact NHS 111 before arriving at our hospital. This way, you will receive guidance on the most suitable care location, as the emergency department may not always be the most appropriate choice. 

In cases of life-threatening emergencies, dial 999 or attend the emergency department. 

Access our Royal Free Hospital emergency department page, or our Barnet Hospital emergency department page

Our department provides an initial assessment and treatment plans for medical, surgical and psychological conditions with: 

  • 16 hours of consultant presence, seven days a week 

  • a rapid assessment and treatment team which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week 

  • all ambulance patients seen by senior clinicians with a treatment plan put in place within minutes of arrival 

  • a fast transfer to specialty assessment units for patients who need to be seen by specialty teams  

  • a dedicated radiology department so that diagnostic imaging can be carried out in the department — the service is co-located with surgery, intensive care and diagnostic imaging 

  • emergency eye service, five days a week, accessible through the emergency department 

The GP-led urgent treatment centre operates within our emergency department.  

It provides treatment of minor illnesses, injuries and non-life-threatening conditions, which require urgent or immediate attention.  

The same day emergency care (SDEC) unit provides consultant-led care for patients referred with acute medical conditions who do not need an inpatient stay. Our team aim to provide same-day diagnostics and treatment without the need for an overnight stay.  

What to expect 

When you arrive, please report to the receptionist who will book you in. Shortly after your arrival, a nurse will assess you and take your: 

  • temperature 

  • pulse 

  • blood pressure 

  • oxygen levels 

  • weight 

Depending on your condition, you may also need to have blood tests, heart tracing (ECG), X-rays, and urine tests. 

You may need additional tests (MRI, ultrasound or CT). This could mean that you are in the department for the whole day or need to attend the unit more than once. The average stay for our patients is between five and six hours. 

How to find us 

The same day emergency care unit is in the main building, level 0 (ground floor).  

If you enter via the main entrance, walk towards the end of the atrium and turn right, following the signs to same day emergency care. 

If you are referred to SDEC from the emergency department, please follow the signs to X-ray, then turn right and follow the signs to same day emergency care. 

If you need to contact us, please call 020 8887 3709. 

Opening hours 

The SDEC unit is Open 8am to 8pm every day (including bank holidays). 

If you are a new patient, you will need to attend at least two hours before it closes to ensure there is enough time to diagnose and treat you. 

Follow-up appointments 

  • Following your attendance, a summary letter will be sent to your GP (and yourself). 

  • You may be asked to return to SDEC on another day for further tests, treatment or review. 

  • A doctor may review your tests virtually. In this case, you will not be expected to return to us. Your GP (and yourself) will receive a summary letter, but this may take some time as some tests take a while to be completed. 

Most people will go home on the same day. If your doctor feels you need to stay in hospital, this will be arranged for you. Your SDEC nurse will accompany you to the ward. If you would like to go to the shops or outside, please let the receptionist know. 

Contact information 

Tel: 020 8887 3709 

You can also speak to the SDEC nurse in charge or the dedicated matron who will be happy to answer any questions. 

You can visit our emergency eye clinic if you have an urgent eye condition or emergency only, such as:  

  • loss of vision, less than 24-48 hours duration 

  • pain in the eye, less than 24-48 hours duration 

  • eye injury/trauma 

  • chemical injury to the eye 

  • foreign body in the eye 

  • floaters getting worse  

If you do not have one of the above listed conditions, please contact us for advice via the numbers below before attending. 

Contact information 

For other conditions that are not an emergency, please contact your GP or optometrist (see local optometry services).  

Please bring your GP or optometrist referral letter with you if you are referred to the eye emergency clinic.  

Opening hours 

  • Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 4pm (break at 1 to 1.30pm) 

  • Friday, 8.30am to 12 noon. 

Location 

  • Clinic 2, main outpatients. You will need to register at the main emergency department reception before being sent round to clinic 2.  

For eye emergencies outside of these hours, please visit our emergency department or view a list of other nearby eye emergency services.  

If you have a blood test while in our emergency department, it is now checked for HIV and Hepatitis B and C. The tests are routine, the same as your usual blood test.  

Many people with these conditions do not know they have them because symptoms can take years to show. 

It is important to diagnose HIV or hepatitis B or C early as treatment is life-saving and free from the NHS.  

With medication you can expect to live long and well and it helps stop passing it on too.  

Your results are strictly confidential meaning they are private and only healthcare professionals who help you know. 

If you do not want to be tested, please let a member of staff know.  

GPs can refer patients directly to specialities if required, bypassing the emergency department and going directly to same day emergency clinics.