The Emergency Department (ED) is the place at Waitakere Hospital where people with acute and emergency health problems are assessed and treated. People presenting to the ED are seen initially by the triage nurse. There are many different groups of doctors from different services assessing patients in the ED, but the ED nurses care for all patients in the ED.

Most people presenting to the ED are self-referrals so have not seen their family doctor or GP before coming to hospital.  These patients are assessed and treated by the Emergency Medicine doctors, and are either discharged home or referred to other services for admission or further investigation.  

Some people seen by their family doctors are referred to hospital to see doctors and staff from the inpatient specialty services.

Emergency Medicine specialises in the diagnosis, management and treatment of acute and urgent illnesses and injuries that may be life-threatening and require immediate attention.

Other specialty services with doctors and staff assessing patients in the ED include General Medicine, Paediatrics and Mental Health. 

 What is Triage?

All patients presenting to the ED are triaged by a senior nurse according to the Australasian Triage Scale (ATS) to determine the nature and severity of the illness or injury. On the basis of this assessment, those with more severe symptoms or injuries are treated before those with less serious conditions.  The triage nurse may discuss the option of an appointment with the person's GP or other available healthcare facility if the presenting problem is non-urgent and there is a long waiting time to be seen.

How Many Patients Present to Waitakere ED Each Year?

In 2013 approximately 42,500 patients presented to ED at Waitakere. Of these 87% were seen by Emergency Medicine doctors, and approximately 43% were children.