How to get help

First point of call

Maternity triage - 01923 217343. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Run by midwives with Obstetric cover.

Women can call Maternity triage for any concerns after 18 weeks of pregnancy. For any concerns below 18 weeks of pregnancy, please follow the advice for urgent medical help below.

Women should not delay in phoning Maternity triage if a baby’s pattern of movements change or are reduced, if there is vaginal bleeding or if you feel unwell.

Please ring MDAU if you have been booked with Maternity Day Assessment Unit.

  • MDAU 01923 217 851 8.00am to 5.00pm service.

Alexandra Birth Centre (ABC) 01923 217364 women that are booked to give birth in the ABC can contact ABC directly if they are in labour.

Medical or physical health emergency: Call 999

It is usually obvious if a person is seriously ill and needs immediate emergency care from the ambulance service or the local accident and emergency department.

Some examples would be a person who: has stopped breathing, has difficulty in breathing to the point that they cannot complete a sentence, is unconscious or fitting continuously, has chest pain, is bleeding heavily, has suspected multiple broken bones, has stab wounds, has a suspected stroke (usually affecting one side of the face, one arm and speech), has fallen from a height.

The East of England Ambulance Service provides a 24-hour accident and emergency service.

When you call 999 a telephone operator will ask you which emergency service you need the police, fire or ambulance service.

In a medical emergency you should ask for an ambulance. You will be put through to an emergency medical dispatcher in the emergency operations centre. They will ask you:

  • the exact location of the incident
  • whether the patient is conscious, breathing, has serious bleeding or chest pain, and the type of injury or illness

Ambulance staff provide either care at the scene of an incident and/or transport the patient to the most suitable service.

Urgent medical help or advice: Call 111

You can call 111 when you need medical help fast but it's not a 999 emergency. Call 111 when:

  • you need medical help fast but it's not a 999 emergency
  • you think you need to go to A&E or need another NHS urgent care service
  • you don't know who to call or you don't have a GP to call
  • you are experiencing a mental health crisis and don't know who to call

For less urgent health needs, contact your GP or local pharmacist.


Picture of a nurse measuring the blood presseure of a patient

How to get help

Picture of a pregnant person with hands on tummy

Refer yourself