About us

When you come to the Emergency Department, you will be assessed by an experienced nurse. This assessment is known as triage and it ensures the most seriously ill patients are seen first.

If you have a minor injury or illness, you may be directed to alternative services, such as a local walk-in centre or your GP.

Where to go if you need medical advice, but it’s not an emergency

Your local pharmacy
Your local pharmacy is a first port-of-call for minor health concerns. Pharmacists are experts in medicines and can help with lots of illnesses, from skin rashes to earaches and flu. Many pharmacies open late and offer private consultations, no appointment needed.

Your GP
Call your GP practice or visit their website to make an appointment for an illness or injury that won’t go away or access your GP’s out of hours service.

NHS 111 (24/7)
Call NHS 111 free for urgent medical advice, or access the service online at 111.nhs.uk. If NHS 111 advise that you attend the Emergency Department, ask them if they can book you an appointment.

Richmond Urgent Treatment Centre (8am – 8pm, every day)
The Richmond Urgent Treatment Centre at Teddington Memorial Hospital is for when you need urgent medical attention, but it’s not a life-threatening situation. The service is run by nurses and other healthcare professionals, supported by a GP.

Contact your current healthcare team
If you are already receiving care or treatment from a particular healthcare team, contact them first to see if they can help.

Healthier Together children’s health website
Created by experts, Healthier Together is a South West London website which provides pregnant people, parents and carers with trusted information on common childhood illnesses.

Mental health support (24/7)
If you live in Kingston, Merton, Richmond, Sutton and Wandsworth and you need mental health support in a crisis you can call 0800 028 8000. The Mental Health Crisis Line offers emotional support and advice to people who are affected by urgent mental health issues, at any time of the day or night. It is open to children and adults of all ages, and to people who haven’t previously accessed mental health services.

If you are in a mental health crisis or need urgent support, you can also go to:

Connected Kingston
If you need to access community support, Connected Kingston is run by the Royal Borough of Kingston Council and Kingston Voluntary Action and is dedicated to helping Kingston residents navigate local services.

Other services available at Kingston Hospital if you need emergency medical advice

The Royal Eye Unit
If you have an urgent eye problem, you can phone 020 8934 6799 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 4.30pm) for an appointment to be booked at our eye emergency clinic in the Royal Eye Unit. 

Jasmine Unit
The Jasmine Unit is our emergency gynaecology and early pregnancy assessment unit. You may be referred to the unit by your GP, Consultant, or Community Midwife.

The Wolverton Sexual Health Service
The Wolverton Centre at Kingston Hospital provides a free, comprehensive and confidential sexual health, contraception and HIV service and offers a range of services which can be accessed in an emergency. 

Food and drink

Vending machines are located in the main Emergency Department waiting area. There is also a restaurant located on Level 2 of Kingston Surgical Centre, serving hot and cold food and drinks and snacks, between 7am and 3pm, every day. The restaurant is currently cash free.

Costa Coffee (located at the main entrance, Bernard Meade Wing) is open 24 hours, every day, for hot and cold drinks, sandwiches and snacks. (Please note: Overnight opening hours may vary to allow for staff breaks).