Surrey A&E Crisis: How Local Residents Can Help
Why Our Local Hospitals Are Struggling Right Now
If you’ve driven past St Peter’s Hospital in Chertsey recently, you may have noticed the constant activity at the A&E entrance. The emergency department there—one of only two major A&E facilities serving our wider Surrey community—is currently operating under “significant pressure,” according to Dr Mark Roland, chief medical officer at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Trust.
What this means for those of us living across Surrey, from Guildford to Woking and surrounding areas, is real wait times and stretched resources. The trust manages emergency care not just at St Peter’s but also runs an urgent treatment centre at Ashford Hospital, yet demand continues to outpace capacity. Staff are working extended hours to prioritise the most seriously ill patients, but the sheer volume of people arriving at A&E—many with issues that could be treated elsewhere—is creating bottlenecks.
For our community, this isn’t just a headline. It affects response times for genuine emergencies, waiting room conditions, and ultimately, whether your elderly neighbour or family member gets timely care when they truly need it. Understanding why this is happening helps us understand what we can do about it.
Where to Go: Your Guide to Using NHS Services Wisely
Here’s what local residents in Dorking, Horsley, East Horsley and across the wider area should know: not every health issue requires an emergency department visit. The hospital trust has published a “choose well” guide specifically to help you decide where you actually need to go.
If you have a minor ailment like a cough, rash, or mild stomach upset, your local pharmacy can often help—and there are dozens across our neighbourhoods. For something more serious but not life-threatening, your GP surgery should be your first stop. NHS 111 is also available 24/7 by phone or online if you’re unsure.
The urgent treatment centre at Ashford Hospital handles sprains, minor fractures, and non-serious injuries without the long A&E waits. Mental health crisis centres are available for those experiencing emotional or psychological emergencies.
Reserve A&E for genuine emergencies: chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe injuries, loss of consciousness, or anything else that feels immediately life-threatening. By using the right service for your needs, you’re not just helping yourself—you’re helping your neighbours get the urgent care they deserve when minutes truly matter.
What Local Residents Should Do Now
This is a moment where individual choices add up to community benefit. If you’re planning a non-urgent healthcare visit in the coming weeks, think about whether you really need A&E or whether another option makes sense.
Share this information with family members and neighbours, especially elderly relatives who may default to A&E out of habit or uncertainty. Community groups, workplaces, and local organisations across Surrey—from Woking businesses to village halls in Horsley—can help spread awareness about appropriate NHS use.
Check the full “choose well” guide on Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals’ website. Bookmark NHS 111 on your phone. Talk to your GP about getting a clear plan for managing your health before emergencies happen.
Watch for updates from the hospital trust over coming weeks. If wait times don’t improve, it may indicate that further resources or system changes are needed—information worth sharing with local councillors and MPs. For now, the most helpful action any of us can take is respecting these services appropriately so those facing genuine emergencies can access them quickly. It’s a simple act of community responsibility that could genuinely save lives around our area.
Source: Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals plea as A&E faces high demand
