NOT FOR EMERGENCIES. This service is for administrative inquiries only. If in danger, dial 999 immediately.
Addenbrooke's Hospital
Addenbrooke's Hospital's Accident and Emergency (A&E) department is open 24/7, providing critical services including emergency medical triage, walk-in care for urgent medical needs, and specialized paediatric emergency care. Patients can arrive without prior referral, particularly for life-threatening conditions. Upon arrival, all individuals are triaged by a nurse and seen in order of clinical need, not by arrival time. Known challenges include potential long wait times and overcrowded facilities, especially during peak periods. It's recommended to use NHS 111 or GP services for non-emergencies to ease A&E pressures.
Expected outcomes
- Emergency medical triage
- Walk-in emergency care
- Receive ambulance patients
- Paediatric emergency care
- Immediate medical assessment
Call preparation
Assemble everything before you dial. These requirements are verified by our call analysts and updated as organizations change their scripts.
- Personal identification
- Medical emergency details
- Referral paperwork
- Ambulance handover details
- Patient identification
Known Issues
The A&E department commonly faces issues of long waiting times and overcrowding. Patients often report lengthy wait periods, especially during busy times, due to the triage system which prioritizes the most critically ill. The department is also frequently crowded, affecting the waiting areas. To manage these challenges, staff prioritize patients based on medical necessity. It is important for potential visitors to consider using NHS 111 or other healthcare services for non-life-threatening conditions to alleviate congestion and minimize wait times.
Updated 14 Dec 2025
