Royal Victoria Hospital
The Royal Victoria Hospital's Emergency Department Reception can be reached for specific services such as initial triage assessments through the Phone First service, available Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 18:00. This service is designed for non-life-threatening emergencies, providing an initial assessment by a healthcare professional. Callers are advised on the appropriate next steps, which may include visiting the Emergency Department, Urgent Care Centre, or other suitable facilities. General enquiries about the Emergency Department, including directions and accessibility support, are available 24/7. Known issues include long waiting times, with recent averages exceeding five hours, highlighting the importance of using the Phone First service to streamline care. For life-threatening emergencies, call 999 immediately.
Updated 4 Nov 2025
Expected outcomes
- Receive initial triage assessment
- Get directions to the hospital
- Inquire about accessibility support
- Learn about Emergency Department services
- Receive advice on next steps
Call preparation
Assemble everything before you dial. These requirements are verified by our call analysts and updated as organizations change their scripts.
- Name
- Date of birth
- Contact number
- Description of symptoms
- Reason for attendance
- Basic personal details
Known issues
A frequent issue reported by patients is long waiting times in the Emergency Department, with averages over five hours. The Phone First service is designed to address this by reducing unnecessary attendances and streamlining care. To minimize wait times, it's recommended to use this service for non-life-threatening emergencies. Patients should have their personal details and symptoms ready when calling. For immediate emergencies, contacting 999 is essential. Utilizing the Phone First service during its operating hours can significantly improve the efficiency of care received.
