Acute Medical Unit (AMU)

The Acute Medical Unit, or AMU for short, is part of the Emergency Department at New Cross Hospital and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

It’s a 49-bed short-stay unit where our team of doctors, nurses and therapists provide rapid assessment, investigation and treatment for patients for up to 48 hours.

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Following treatment on the AMU, patients may be well enough to return home or, if they need an overnight stay, they will be transferred to a hospital department or community setting that is the best place for their care.

Leaving hospital

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Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to our frequently asked questions. If you have any other questions or concerns please speak to a member of your clinical team.

You are in the AMU because you have come to New Cross hospital as an emergency patient and you need to be further assessed before our team of doctors, nurses and therapists decide on the best place for your care. Following their assessment, the team will decide if you are well enough to return home or if you need further care in either one of our hospitals or a community setting.

If you need to stay in hospital, you will be transferred to the ward that is the best place for you to receive the best care. We will aim for a bed to be made available for you as soon as possible.

You will receive care from our specialist team of doctors, nurses and therapists. Depending on your condition, this may include a wide range of tests, checks and scans to help the team decide on the best treatment for you. You will be closely monitored during your stay on the AMU.

The AMU is not a ward, it is a short-stay unit where our team of doctors, nurses and therapists will assess you before deciding on the best place for you to receive further care.

Yes. Carers can stay with the patient while they are in the AMU.

Yes, you can have up to two visitors between 2pm and 8pm every day.

If you are unable to let your family know where you are being transferred to, then we will contact them on your behalf.