Pack in 5 minutes
A typical A&E visit lasts 3 to 8 hours from arrival to discharge. Most of that time you are waiting — for triage, for investigations, for results, for a cubicle. Five minutes of preparation before you leave the house can save you hours of frustration once you’re there.
The four things that make the biggest difference, in order of impact:
- An accurate, current list of your medications and allergies.
- A fully charged phone (and ideally a power bank).
- A water bottle and a snack you can eat with one hand.
- Something to do — book, downloaded show, podcast.
Medical information
Current medications
- Name, dose and frequency of every prescription drug, including inhalers and contraception.
- Over-the-counter medication you take regularly (paracetamol, antacids, etc.).
- Vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies (St John’s wort interacts widely).
- Anything you took today, with the time you took it.
Personal medical information
- Allergies (drugs, foods, latex) and the reaction they cause.
- Major medical conditions: diabetes, asthma, heart disease, cancer, kidney disease.
- Recent surgery or hospital admissions in the last 12 months.
- Pregnancy status and dates if relevant.
- Any specialists you currently see and their hospital.
- Vaccination status (especially tetanus for wounds).
ID and paperwork
- NHS number if you know it (optional but useful).
- Photo ID — driving licence, passport, or bus pass.
- GP surgery name and address.
- Anything you’ve been given by 111 or a paramedic — letters, ECG strips, advice slips.
- Recent letters from specialists if you have a complex history.
- EHIC / GHIC card if visiting the UK from the EU.
- Travel insurance details if visiting from outside the EU.
Comfort and entertainment
- Phone, fully charged. Plus a charger and ideally a power bank.
- A long charging cable — sockets are often not next to the chair.
- A water bottle (refillable). Tap water is freely available.
- A snack you can eat one-handed and that doesn’t smell strongly.
- A warm layer or light blanket — A&E waiting areas are often cold.
- Reading glasses if you wear them.
- A book, magazine or downloaded entertainment (don’t rely on Wi-Fi).
- Headphones for the above.
- Any sensory aids you rely on — hearing aid spare batteries, glasses case.
- A small amount of cash for vending machines.
Bringing a child to A&E
In addition to the adult list above, for a child also pack:
- Their Red Book (Personal Child Health Record) — every UK child has one, given at birth. Contains immunisations, growth chart and past illnesses.
- Formula, expressed milk or feeding equipment for under-1s.
- Nappies, wipes and a changing mat for under-2s.
- A favourite comforter — soft toy, muslin, dummy.
- A change of clothes and an extra layer.
- Calpol or ibuprofen if they have already taken some today (note dose and time).
- A tablet with downloaded shows and headphones for older children.
- A snack and drink that they will actually eat (not the time to introduce a new food).
See our full guide: Going to A&E with children.
Going as a carer or family member
If you are bringing someone to A&E (parent, partner, neighbour), your job is to be the continuity of information the patient may not be able to provide.
- Take any ‘hospital passport’ or care plan they may have — especially important for people with learning disability, dementia, autism or complex needs.
- Bring proof you are next-of-kin or have lasting power of attorney (LPA) for health and welfare if they cannot consent.
- Note exactly what happened, when symptoms started, and what was different about today.
- Pack overnight essentials in case admission is needed — slippers, phone charger, basic toiletries, glasses, a warm jumper.
What to leave at home
- Valuables. Hospitals generally cannot guarantee personal items left in cubicles or with property safes — minimise jewellery, expensive watches and large cash sums.
- Pets. Only registered assistance dogs are permitted in most A&E departments.
- Strong perfume and aerosols. Other patients may have allergies and asthma.
- Anything you can’t carry yourself if you may end up moving between cubicles, X-ray and discharge.
- Hot food — strong-smelling takeaway in a packed waiting room is unkind to nauseated patients next to you.
The 30-second pre-departure checklist
- Medications: photographed or listed ✓
- NHS number / GP / allergies known ✓
- Phone at 100 %, charger packed ✓
- Water bottle filled ✓
- Snack packed ✓
- Warm layer ✓
- Photo ID in pocket ✓
- Someone informed which hospital you’re heading to ✓
- Booked travel home / arranged a lift ✓
- Looked up current A&E wait time ✓
FAQs about what to bring to a&e
Do I need ID to be treated?
No. NHS A&E is free to all and ID is not required for treatment. But bringing photo ID and your NHS number speeds up booking-in by 10–15 minutes and reduces the chance of records being mismatched.
Can I take photos of my medications instead of writing a list?
Yes — clear photos of the boxes (showing name, dose and frequency on the printed label) are better than a hand-written list because there’s no risk of transcription error.
Should I bring my own painkillers?
You can — and they may be useful in the waiting room. But always tell the triage nurse exactly what you have taken (drug, dose, time) so it doesn’t affect their assessment or interact with anything they prescribe.
Can I eat and drink in the waiting room?
Usually yes, unless you have been told not to (typically because you might need surgery, sedation or certain blood tests). Always check with the nurse first if you’re unsure.
Sources & further reading
Editorial review
Written and reviewed by the A&E Wait Time editorial team. First published . Last reviewed . Re-reviewed at minimum every 90 days.
We are an independent UK-based publisher. We are not part of the NHS, not endorsed by the NHS and not staffed by clinicians. This article is general information, not medical advice. See our medical disclaimer and editorial policy.
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