• Reference Number: HEY459/2026
• Departments: Ambulatory Care
• Last Updated: 31 May 2026

Introduction

This leaflet gives an overview about how the service works in six simple steps.  Please be aware that your journey through the medical SDEC may vary slightly.

What is same day care?

Same Day Emergency Care is a service which offers same day emergency care to patients at the hospital. This means that patients are assessed, diagnosed, treated and are able to go home the same day, without being admitted into a hospital bed overnight wherever possible. This period of assessment, diagnosis and treatment may require you to be in the medical SDEC for approx. 4 to 8 hours.

Before you arrive

You will have been referred to the medical SDEC by your doctor, the ambulance service or by the Emergency Department Team.

Arrival at SDEC

You will be greeted by a member of staff in the medical SDEC waiting area. Where possible refreshments are provided for patients at intervals during the day. Alternatively, you may wish to use the cafeteria on the first floor of the hospital (just let a member of staff from the SDEC area know you are going to the cafeteria).

Initial Assessment

A member of staff will carry out an initial assessment where they will discuss with you why you have been referred to the SDEC, your care pathway and take some observations (blood pressure/temperature).

Investigations

You will need to wait while staff carry out investigations such as X-rays, tests, blood tests and scans (this can take between 4 to 8 hours to complete).

Treatment

Once your results are back for all the tests that have been carried out these will be discussed with you, along with any treatment plan that may be required.

Treatment will be commenced in the SDEC where possible and information regarding this will be given to you. Your doctor will receive a clinic letter regarding your attendance and the treatment and care you received whilst in SDEC.

Next steps and contact

Once your care in the SDE is complete you can usually go home; however, on some occasions, you may need to stay in hospital for inpatient care. The staff will discuss with you the next steps for your treatment, review or follow up if required.

On occasion you may be asked to come back to the SDEC the following day for further tests or treatment. This will be discussed and agreed with you, and you may be given a dedicated time slot to attend the SDEC, however please note that you may still be required to wait a period of time to be reviewed.

If you have any questions or concerns that you would like to discuss please do not hesitate to speak to the member of staff caring for you at any time during your journey through the SDEC. We are always happy to answer your questions or discuss any concerns that you may have.

Should you require further advice on the issues contained in this leaflet, please do not hesitate to contact the medical Same Day Emergency Care Unit Tel: 01482 676414

General Advice and Consent

Most of your questions should have been answered by this leaflet, but remember that this is only a starting point for discussion with the healthcare team.

Consent to treatment

Before any doctor, nurse or therapist examines or treats you, they must seek your consent or permission. In order to make a decision, you need to have information from health professionals about the treatment or investigation which is being offered to you. You should always ask them more questions if you do not understand or if you want more information.

The information you receive should be about your condition, the alternatives available to you, and whether it carries risks as well as the benefits. What is important is that your consent is genuine or valid. That means:

• you must be able to give your consent
• you must be given enough information to enable you to make a decision
• you must be acting under your own free will and not under the strong influence of another person

Information about you

We collect and use your information to provide you with care and treatment. As part of your care, information about you will be shared between members of a healthcare team, some of whom you may not meet. Your information may also be used to help train staff, to check the quality of our care, to manage and plan the health service, and to help with research. Wherever possible we use anonymous data.

We may pass on relevant information to other health organisations that provide you with care. All information is treated as strictly confidential and is not given to anyone who does not need it. If you have any concerns please ask your doctor, or the person caring for you.

Under the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018 we are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any information we hold about you. For further information visit the following page: Confidential Information about You.

If you or your carer needs information about your health and wellbeing and about your care and treatment in a different format, such as large print, braille or audio, due to disability, impairment or sensory loss, please advise a member of staff and this can be arranged.