Same Day Emergency Care
Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC), is one of the many ways the NHS is working to provide the right care, in the right place, at the right time for patients. It is a service enabling patients to receive their emergency care within a day, avoiding the need for a hospital admission.
You may have been referred from your GP, Emergency Department, a hospital ward, the ambulance service, or another primary health care provider.
On Arrival:
You will be booked in by our reception and nursing staff, we will ask you to take a seat within our triage area where you will be provided with a hospital wristband.
Assessment:
Our nursing staff will assess and carry out the appropriate tests based on your presentation. These may be altered or changed once a clinician has held their consultation with you. All patients are seen and assessed according to their individual needs.
Investigations, treatments, and procedures
These will include observations, such as measuring your heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturations. Dependent on presentation we may also need to take some blood tests and carry out additional tests such as an x-ray, or diagnostic tests such as a CT scan. Other interventions required during your visit may include:
- A cannula (a thin tube inserted into a vein to administer certain medications)
- An electrocardiogram (ECG) checks how your heart beats
- Intravenous Infusions/antibiotics Blood transfusions
- Injections
- Wound care
- Other investigations/treatments according to your needs
Once you have been seen by a clinician and your investigations have been reviewed you may require further treatment or a procedure. This will be fully explained by your clinician and an opportunity given for you to ask any questions.
Our aim is to provide an individual care plan that caters for your health care needs.
Waiting times and next steps
Waiting Times:
If you have been given an appointment time to attend SDEC please try and be punctual. Please note that patients may not always be seen in time order, other patients may be here to see a specific specialty, or their condition may change requiring them to be seen sooner.
Please be assured that every effort is made to ensure all patients are seen, treated and discharged in a timely manner. Most patients can expect to be in SDEC for a number of hours but some may be here much longer depending on their medical need.
Next Steps:
Once your care in SDEC is complete, it is very likely that you will be able to go home.
Dependent on your individualised care plan, you may be asked to return for further tests on another day but we aim to ensure this is completed only when necessary. In some circumstances you may be admitted to a ward. If this is the case, we will endeavour to get you a bed as soon as is possible.
Further information
Visitors:
Carers, friends and family are welcome. However, we advise that there is only one visitor at a time due to the unit's capacity.
Facilities:
At the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, we have a number of vending machines within SDEC and a water dispenser. At Furness General Hospital, these are located outside the SDEC Unit. We have an on-site canteen at both sites that supply hot and cold meals. We also offer regular refreshments in the department and snack bags at meal times for patients who have been with us longer. Facilities are well signposted. For further assistance please do not hesitate in contacting a staff member.
Privacy and dignity:
All patients’ privacy and dignity will be respected and maintained at all times.
Discharge:
Once discharged by a clinician, please speak to a member of the team prior to leaving the unit to ensure you have all the relevant information and support on discharge, including any possible follow-up appointments.
Date of Publication: 16/03/2023
Reference Number: lc00013542 / PIL208
Review Date: 01/03/2026