Ask A&E now features a COVID-19 care assistant

Symptom checker and live chat

Input your symptoms and find out whether you might have COVID-19.

Monitor your symptoms

Monitor COVID-19 symptoms using the tracker and keep a record of your information.

Speak to a healthcare expert

If required, speak to a healthcare professional via video chat.

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Ask A&E

NHS answers when you need them most, 24/7

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If you do not need A&E treatment but you visit one of our A&E departments, our staff may turn you away. Use Ask A&E to check your symptoms and get recommendations for treatment.

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Thinking of going to Accident and Emergency but not sure if you need to?

Before taking the time and having the stress of going to hospital, why not use our online symptom checker? Ask A&E offers you rapid NHS answers you can trust to help you decide what to do next based on the seriousness of your symptoms and the urgency of your illness.

  • Create an account

    Sign up in seconds for easy, secure access to your information.

  • Tell us what's wrong

    Answer a few simple questions so we can help.

  • Helpful answers, fast

    Ask A&E will provide you with the medical information you need.

Get started

How does Ask A&E work?

You will be asked a series of questions via the Ask A&E symptom checker.

Based on the information you provide, you will be given information to help you decide what to do next. In certain situations, and based on the information provided, you may decide that your condition can be managed at home or with over-the-counter medication. In other circumstances, you may decide to book an appointment with your usual GP, or, if your symptoms are potentially more serious, you may decide to go to A&E. Please note that the final decision on how to treat yourself is always yours.

Why do I need to create an account?

Creating an account with Ask A&E makes the process of sharing information with UHB hospitals simpler, and means the staff seeing you in hospital can see what you have said previously. The basic information you provide at registration helps the symptom checker give a tailored outcome.

The person using the symptom checker must be the person who registers.

When shouldn't I use Ask A&E?

Ask A&E is not intended for use during pregnancy, or by those under the age of 16. There are some situations where immediate medical attention via A&E may be required. These include, but are not limited to:

  • chest pain
  • severe bleeding
  • severe difficulty in breathing (shortness of breath)
  • sudden, severe pain anywhere in the body
  • moderate to severe burns
  • convulsions or seizures
  • sudden change in mental status (such as unusual behaviour, confusion, difficulty waking from sleep)
  • head or spinal injuries
  • wound or injury caused by an object piercing the skin
  • serious limb impairment or broken bone
  • potential signs of severe allergy, such as lip or tongue swelling

In certain circumstances, we recommend that you always have an appointment with a doctor. These include, but are not limited to:

  • mental health concerns
  • pregnancy and post-natal concerns
  • recent surgery
  • if your immune system is significantly weak, e.g. due to taking specific medications or an underlying condition
  • known HIV or AIDS
  • active tuberculosis
  • fever after travel outside of Europe or North America
  • new or rapidly changing rashes
  • if you are considering harming yourself or taking your own life
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