Acute Medicine is the service that looks after adults who need urgent medical care after they have been assessed in our Emergency Department. In Acute Medicine our focus is on assessing your condition quickly, starting treatment promptly, and deciding on the most appropriate next steps for your care.
Our aim is to ensure you receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time, while involving you and your family or carers in decisions about your treatment whenever possible.
Acute Medicine at Antrim Area Hospital
Acute Medicine at Antrim Area Hospital operates across four wards:
- Acute Assessment Area (AAA)
- Acute Medical Ward (AMU1)
- Acute Medical Ward (AMU2)
- Ward B5
You may be cared for in one or more of these areas depending on your medical needs and how long you need to stay in hospital.
Acute Assessment Area (AAA)
Our Acute Assessment Area is a short‑stay assessment area. Patients are moved into this area after being reviewed in the Emergency Department.
While in the Acute Assessment Area, patients are assessed by a senior doctor and reviewed by a team of staff from different disciplines, including nurses and allied health professionals
Patients are given a clear plan of care tailored to your individual needs
After assessment, one of the following decisions is usually made:
- You may be discharged home or to your usual place of care, with advice and follow‑up arranged if required
- You may need admission to an inpatient ward for further treatment
If you require an inpatient bed, you will remain in the Acute Assessment Unit until a suitable bed is available, and your care will continue during this time.
Acute medical wards (AMU1 and AMU2)
AMU1 and AMU2 are two acute medical wards which care for patients who need short‑term hospital treatment. They treat patients who are expected to stay in hospital for less than 72 hours. These patients usually need quick tests, treatment, and decisions about next steps in care.
You will be looked after by a specialist acute medical team. Our doctors aim to assess you quickly, start treatment early, and will decide whether you can go home or need to move to another ward.
Ward B5
Ward B5 is a 12-bedded unit that supports patients who are stable and nearing the end of their acute hospital care.
Care focuses on continuing treatment where required, supporting recovery and planning the next steps for discharge.
Patients are supported by our team to help prepare you for leaving hospital.
Some patients may stay on Ward B5 while discharge arrangements are being put in place
This may include waiting for a suitable care package, community or rehabilitation support, or until the most appropriate place of care becomes available.
Direct Assessment Unit (DAU)
Acute Medicine also runs a Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) ambulatory unit, called the Direct Assessment Unit. This unit allows some patients to be assessed, investigated and treated on the same day without needing to stay in hospital overnight.
Same Day Emergency Dare is used when it is safe and appropriate and helps:
- Avoid unnecessary hospital admissions
- Reduce time spent in hospital
- Allow you to return home sooner
Your clinical team will explain if this type of care is suitable for you.
Our clinical team
Patients are looked after by a healthcare team, which may include doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists and other specialist staff as needed
All team members work together to support your recovery, plan your treatment and help prepare you for discharge.