About SDEC

The Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) unit provides urgent assessment and treatment.

We carry out all the usual tests and treatment without having to admit patients into hospital. This might include, for example, giving medicines or a blood transfusion, or having investigations or check-ups.

Some patients come back multiple times if they need repeated scans or treatment.

If you need full-time care, your carer must come with you.

Video explaining SDEC

 

Who can be seen in SDEC

SDEC can only see patients who:

  • have been sent from the Emergency Department (A&E)
  • have been sent after being admitted to the Acute Assessment Unit (AAU)
  • have been sent by a GP
  • have been sent after calling an ambulance
  • have been sent after calling NHS 111.

You cannot come to SDEC without being seen in one of these services first. Do not come to SDEC without a referral. If you think you have a problem that can be dealt with by SDEC, speak to one of these services first.

When to come to SDEC

Opening times

We are open 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm.
Last appointments are 6pm.

Referred when SDEC is open

If you are referred to us when we are open:

  1. The person referring you will speak to us on the phone. 
  2. We will tell them when you should come to SDEC. Depending on the time of day and what you need, we may ask you to come that day or the next day.
  3. You then come to SDEC at the agreed time. You will join the queue to be seen.

Referred when SDEC is closed

If you are referred to us when we are closed:

  1. The person referring you will send us your details electronically.
  2. We will then call you the next day, usually between 8am and 10am (even if this is a weekend). If you have not heard from us by midday, call us on 020 8934 3883.
  3. We will tell you when to come to SDEC. This will depend on what you need and who you need to see.
  4. You then come to SDEC at the agreed time. You will join the queue to be seen.
    If you need an ultrasound scan, call 020 8934 2824 to book this. You should go to the scan first and then go to SDEC. 

What happens at SDEC

  1. Register and join queue
    When you arrive, register at reception. You will be booked into the queue to be seen in time order of arrival.
  2. See nurse
    The nurse will assess you and you may have routine observations, blood tests or an ECG.
  3. See doctor or specialist nurse
    You will be seen by an SDEC doctor or advanced clinical practictioner. They will decide what treatment or investigations you need. See below for more on this.
  4. Discharge
    You will be discharged from SDEC once you have finished your investigations and treatment with us. You may need to attend SDEC a few times before we discharge you. We may refer you back to your own GP to continue your care, or you may be referred to other specialist clinics. This will be explained to you before you leave.

    If we prescribe any medicines for you, you will need to collect these from the Boots Pharmacy in the main hospital building. See below for more details.

    A letter, known as a ‘discharge summary’, will be sent to your GP explaining the treatment and care you had in SDEC. You can ask for a copy of this at SDEC or from your GP at any time.

Ultrasound scan

If your doctor has booked you for an ultrasound scan, they will either give you the appointment details or ask you to call 020 8934 2824. Most scans take place after 11:00. 

You should come to SDEC after the scan. 

CT scan

If a doctor has ordered you a CT scan, the SDEC team will arrange this appointment for you. They will then call you to tell you when to come. You will be asked to go to SDEC beforehand to get a needle (a 'cannula') put into a vein in your hand or arm. This is so that you can be given certain medicines during the scan.

Most SDEC CT scans happen after 11:00. 

MRI scan

If a doctor has ordered you an MRI scan, the MRI department will call you with the scan time. We cannot guarantee the scan will be the next day, even if it is urgent, because it will depend on how busy the MRI Department is.  

Antibiotics

If you need antibiotics through a drip (called 'intravenous' antibiotics), you will probably have to come every day for 5 to 7 days.

We will also need to make sure there are 8 to 10 hours between each dose. This will determine what time we want you to come to SDEC.

Blood or iron infusion

If you need an iron infusion or a blood transfusion, you will probably be in SDEC for many hours. Please arrive promptly for your appointment because it takes time for us to order and receive what you need, and then give you the treatment.

If you are coming to SDEC to have your medical situation evaluated (sometimes called a 'clinical review'), this will be with either:

  • an SDEC doctor or advanced clinical practitioner (a highly specialised nurse) - you will join a queue to be seen
  • or a specialist doctor (such as a heart specialist) - you will probably be told to come in the afternoon because most specialists have clinics in the morning.

If you have been given a prescription in SDEC, you will need to collect the medicines from the Kingston Hospital Boots Pharmacy.

Boots is on the ground floor between the Main entrance to the hospital and the Outpatients department. 

Monday to Friday, 9 am to 6:30 pm
Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm
Sunday, 10 am to 2 pm
020 8549 6434

How long you will spend at SDEC

SDEC aims to see you the same day or the next day.

The time you spend in SDEC will depend on which tests or treatments you need, and how busy we are. The minimum is 1 hour. More complicated tests and treatments might take all day. There is a water fountain and toilets in SDEC. See the map for a layout of our department.

You may need to come back to SDEC a few times on different days. We will give you an appointment for these additional visits.

When necessary, patients will be referred to other specialty clinics for further care.

Map of SDEC

What to bring with you

Please bring:

  • any paperwork given to you by your GP, if applicable
  • a list of any medicines you currently or have recently taken
  • hospital passport or similar ‘all about me’ document if you have one (for people with learning disabilities, autism, or dementia).

You are welcome to bring:

  • something to distract you while you are waiting, such as something to read or a device with headphones. If you are bringing any electronic devices with you, it is your responsibility to keep these safe. The hospital has free Wi-Fi (connect with NHS Wi-Fi), though you cannot use it to stream TV or films.
  • something to eat and drink. There is a water fountain next to our nurses station. There are also cafes and a restaurant in the hospital to buy refreshments. These do not take cash. The closest cafe is in the main hospital entrance, along the corridor past the Emergency Department.

Getting to SDEC

You are expected to make your own way to hospital for any follow-up SDEC visits, even if you were originally brought in by ambulance.

Come by public transport if you can. See the map for local buses and station. Parking is limited and there is a charge unless you are a Blue Badge holder.

Ambulance transport can only be provided for patients who have a medical need for an ambulance and who cannot travel by any other means. Find out more on our transport services page.

Contact information

Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC)

Telephone:

020 8934 3883

7 days a week, 8am to 6pm