Emergency Departments (EDs) at hospitals are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for serious and life-threatening conditions. If you or someone you know is experiencing a medical emergency you/they should call 999 or visit the nearest Emergency Department.

Medical emergencies 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.

A&Es are available at:

• Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Furness General Hospital, Dalton Lane, Barrow-in-Furness Furness General Hospital website
• Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Ashton Road, Lancaster Royal Lancaster Infirmary website
• Southport and Formby District General Hospital For patients 16 years and older
• Ormskirk District General Hospital. For patients 15 years and younger
• Blackburn Emergency Department Royal Blackburn Hospital Haslingden Road
  Blackburn BB2 3HH http://www.elht.nhs.uk/hospitals-and-trust-locations/royal-blackburn-hospital.htm 
• Chorley and South Ribble Hospital adults only service.
• Royal Preston Hospital Sharoe Green Lane Fulwood Preston PR2 9HT

Note about the service at Chorley and South Ribble District General Hospital:

The A&E service at Chorley and South Ribble District General Hospital is open as an adults only service.

Children or young people (under 18 years of age) needing A&E services will be taken to Royal Preston Hospital to ensure they receive the best care in the right place. Additionally, any pregnant women needing A&E services will also be taken to Preston for the same reason.   

Patients suffering complex fractures or major trauma injuries will also be treated at the Royal Preston. As a major trauma centre, with clinicians who are highly trained and experienced in treating complex broken bones and / or life-threatening injuries, the Royal Preston Hospital is the most appropriate place for this type of care.

The department will accept patients from 8am until 8pm each day.

You should not attend the A&E service at Chorley and South Ribble District Hospital in the following circumstances:

• You are pregnant
• You are under age 18
• You suffer a badly broken bone
• You suspect a heart attack or stroke
• You suspect internal bleeding
• You suffer extensive burns
• You suffer extensive trauma

In any of those circumstances, please go directly to Royal Preston Hospital A&E department. Patients requiring resuscitation or suffering from high risk internal bleeding will also be taken straight to the Royal Preston Hospital.

The trust also has a regional major trauma treatment centre at the Royal Preston Hospital.