Skip to main content

Our Emergency Department is currently extremely busy – here's some other places to get the care you need

Our Emergency Department is extremely busy – here’s some other places to get the care you need.

Our Emergency Department (ED or A&E) is always busy, but right now it’s under extreme pressure due to extra demand for our care, with flu and other winter-related illness circulating widely throughout the community.

So please think carefully before coming to ED - there are numerous alternatives which can provide the care and support you need. However, if you or a loved one has a serious or life-threatening illness e.g. a suspected heart attack, cardiac arrest, chest pains, suspected stroke, breathlessness, heavy blood loss or a severe injury, don’t hesitate to ring 999 immediately or go to our ED, situated at Morriston Hospital.

But if you don’t have any of the above, where else could be a much better option for getting help?

  • Go to the 111 Wales website to check symptoms and for advice on a wide range of conditions, including next steps.
  • Contact your GP surgery but if you need help out-of-hours, when your doctors' surgery is closed, ring 111. The GP Out of Hours Service operates when your own surgery is closed, overnight and 24 hours on weekends and bank holidays. To access the service, again, ring 111.
  • Visit your local community pharmacy for advice and treatment for a wide range of common ailments. Many pharmacies also provide a sore throat test and treat service for those aged six and over.
  • Dental/gum pain - Contact your own dentist as they can provide emergency treatment. If you are not registered with a practice or develop a problem outside of normal working hours ring 111 and they will help you find your nearest emergency dentist.
  • Attend our Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) at Neath Port Talbot Hospital. You’ll find Neath Port Talbot Hospital at Baglan Way, Port Talbot, SA12 7BX.
  • MIU can treat anyone age one and up. You are likely to be seen far quicker here than at ED in Morriston Hospital but remember, this unit is strictly for minor injuries only. You must NOT go to the MIU with a suspected heart attack/cardiac arrest, chest pains, stroke or serious illness, or severe injury. To do so is extremely dangerous as the unit has no doctors and CANNOT treat you.
  • Please note - due to staffing pressures, the MIU opening hours have temporarily changed to 8am-9pm, seven days a week.
  • 24/7 mental health support is available over the phone in Swansea Bay. People living in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot who need urgent support with mental health issues can call a team of mental health professionals for free, day or night. Calling 111 and choosing option 2 puts callers in direct contact with a team of 20 mental health professionals based at Neath Port Talbot Hospital. The service is available for anyone in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot with a mental health concern, including relatives who need advice.

Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth a galwadau ffôn yn y Gymraeg neu'r Saesneg. Atebir gohebiaeth Gymraeg yn y Gymraeg, ac ni fydd hyn yn arwain at oedi. Mae’r dudalen hon ar gael yn Gymraeg drwy bwyso’r botwm ar y dde ar frig y dudalen.

We welcome correspondence and telephone calls in Welsh or English. Welsh language correspondence will be replied to in Welsh, and this will not lead to a delay. This page is available in Welsh by clicking ‘Cymraeg’ at the top right of this page.