Sussex is served by major acute hospitals, specialist centres, community hospitals and urgent-care services stretching from Hastings and Eastbourne to Brighton, Haywards Heath, Worthing, Chichester, Crawley and East Grinstead.
The most important point of note is that not every hospital has a general Accident & Emergency department. Some sites focus on planned surgery, rehabilitation, diagnostics or outpatient care. Others have an Urgent Treatment Centre, Minor Injuries Unit or walk-in service for problems that need prompt attention but are not life-threatening.
There is also no single “Sussex hospital trust”. Different NHS organisations manage the county’s acute, specialist and community services, and catchment areas do not always follow county boundaries.
Urgent medical help
Call 999 for a life-threatening emergency
A&E is for serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies. If the problem is urgent but not life-threatening, or you are unsure where to go, use NHS 111. NHS 111 is available by telephone, while 111 online is for people aged five and over. Do not delay emergency help to read this guide.
Scope of this guide
What this page covers
This guide covers general A&E departments, major NHS hospital sites and the principal urgent treatment, minor injuries and walk-in services serving Sussex. It is not a directory of every clinic, mental-health crisis service, maternity-only unit, GP out-of-hours service or private hospital.
| 24-hour general A&E in East Sussex | Conquest Hospital and Eastbourne District General Hospital |
| 24-hour general A&E in Brighton & Hove | Royal Sussex County Hospital |
| 24-hour general A&E in West Sussex | Princess Royal Hospital, Worthing Hospital and St Richard’s Hospital |
| Major Trauma Centre | Royal Sussex County Hospital, within the Sussex Trauma Network |
| Specialist eye emergency department | Sussex Eye Hospital has a 24-hour ophthalmic A&E |
| Children’s emergency departments | Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital, Worthing Hospital and St Richard’s Hospital are open all day, every day |
| Urgent but not life-threatening | Use NHS 111 or an appropriate UTC, MIU or walk-in service |
Which Sussex hospitals have a 24-hour general A&E?
Six hospitals in Sussex have a 24-hour general emergency department.
These are the main sites to know for serious illness or injury, although in a life-threatening emergency the correct first step is to call 999 rather than choose a hospital yourself.
| Hospital | Address | NHS trust | Key role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conquest Hospital | The Ridge, St Leonards-on-Sea, TN37 7RD | East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust | 24-hour general A&E; trauma and surgical services; consultant-led maternity |
| Eastbourne District General Hospital | Kings Drive, Eastbourne, BN21 2UD | East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust | 24-hour general A&E; acute stroke, urology and planned surgery |
| Royal Sussex County Hospital | Eastern Road, Brighton, BN2 5BE | University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust | 24-hour general A&E; Major Trauma Centre |
| Princess Royal Hospital | Lewes Road, Haywards Heath, RH16 4EX | University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust | 24-hour general A&E; acute teaching hospital |
| Worthing Hospital | Lyndhurst Road, Worthing, BN11 2DH | University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust | 24-hour general A&E; district general hospital |
| St Richard’s Hospital | Spitalfield Lane, Chichester, PO19 6SE | University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust | 24-hour general A&E; acute hospital for western West Sussex |
University Hospitals Sussex currently lists Royal Sussex County Hospital, Princess Royal Hospital, Worthing Hospital and St Richard’s Hospital among its general A&E sites. East Sussex Healthcare says both Conquest and Eastbourne DGH have 24-hour emergency departments.
Important
Do not assume every hospital has A&E
Bexhill Hospital, Uckfield Community Hospital, Lewes Victoria Hospital, Crowborough War Memorial Hospital, Rye Memorial Hospital, Southlands Hospital, Crawley Hospital, Horsham Hospital, Bognor Regis War Memorial Hospital and Queen Victoria Hospital do not have a conventional 24-hour general A&E.
Specialist eye and children’s emergency departments
The six hospitals above have general emergency departments. Sussex also has specialist emergency services which need to be treated separately.
Sussex Eye Hospital A&E
Sussex Eye Hospital in Brighton has a 24-hour ophthalmic A&E for urgent eye problems. It is a specialist eye emergency department rather than a general A&E.
The Eye Hospital is on Eastern Road beside the Royal Sussex County Hospital campus.
Check Sussex Eye Hospital A&E information.
Children’s A&E
University Hospitals Sussex lists children’s emergency departments at Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton, Worthing Hospital and St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester.
All three are open all day, every day. The current trust guidance lists the Brighton department for children up to 16, and Worthing and Chichester for children up to 18.
Children’s A&E information from University Hospitals Sussex.
What is the difference between A&E, a UTC and a Minor Injuries Unit?
| Service | What it is for | Typical access |
|---|---|---|
| General A&E / Emergency Department | Serious injuries and potentially life-threatening emergencies, including major trauma and critical illness | Open 24 hours; call 999 for a life-threatening emergency |
| Urgent Treatment Centre | Urgent but non-life-threatening illness and injury requiring prompt assessment | Walk-in, NHS 111 booking or referral depending on the site |
| Minor Injuries Unit | A narrower range of non-life-threatening injuries such as cuts, sprains, minor burns and some suspected fractures | Walk-in or NHS 111 booking depending on the site |
| Walk-in centre | Same-day help for a range of urgent but non-life-threatening problems | Walk in or follow the service’s published contact arrangements |
NHS 111 can help people decide which service is appropriate and can direct patients towards A&E, urgent treatment, a GP, pharmacy or another service. 111 online is available for people aged five and over; parents or carers seeking help for a child under five should call 111.
Urgent treatment, minor injuries and walk-in services in Sussex
The following are the principal Sussex services and published hours listed by NHS Surrey and Sussex when this guide was checked.
| Service | Location | Published hours | How to access it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brighton Station Health Centre Walk-in Centre | Brighton | 8am to 8pm every day, including bank holidays | Walk in or call 0333 321 0946 |
| Crowborough Minor Injuries Unit | Crowborough War Memorial Hospital | 8am to 8pm every day; last booking 7.45pm | Walk in or use NHS 111 for a booked arrival time |
| Lewes Urgent Treatment Centre | Lewes Victoria Hospital | 8am to 8pm every day; last booking 7.45pm | Walk in or use NHS 111 for a booked arrival time |
| Uckfield Minor Injuries Unit | Uckfield Community Hospital | 8am to 8pm every day; last booking 7.45pm | Walk in or use NHS 111 for a booked arrival time |
| Crawley Urgent Treatment Centre | Crawley Hospital | 7.30am to 10pm every day | Walk in or use NHS 111 for a booked arrival time |
| Bognor Regis Minor Injuries Unit | Bognor Regis War Memorial Hospital | 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays | Use NHS 111 for advice and, where appropriate, a booked arrival time |
| Horsham Minor Injuries Unit | Horsham Hospital | 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays | Use NHS 111 for advice and, where appropriate, a booked arrival time |
| Queen Victoria Hospital Minor Injuries Unit | East Grinstead | 8am to 8pm every day | Walk-in service |
| St Richard’s Hospital Urgent Treatment Centre | Chichester | 10am to 10pm every day | Use NHS 111 for advice and, where appropriate, a booked arrival time |
| Worthing Hospital Urgent Treatment Centre | Worthing | 10am to 10pm every day | Use NHS 111 for advice and, where appropriate, a booked arrival time |
NHS Surrey and Sussex currently lists Brighton Station, Crowborough, Lewes and Uckfield with the hours and access arrangements above, and advises checking individual services before travelling. Queen Victoria Hospital separately confirms its Minor Injuries Unit is open from 8am to 8pm every day.
Before travelling
Check the service can treat the problem
A UTC or MIU can be open without being able to treat every condition. Check current NHS information for age limits, last-booking times and access arrangements, or use NHS 111 if you are unsure.
Major hospitals and NHS sites in East Sussex
Conquest Hospital, St Leonards-on-Sea
Conquest is one of East Sussex’s two principal acute hospitals.
It has a 24-hour emergency department and is East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust’s centre for trauma services. Emergency surgery takes place there alongside planned operations, diagnostics and acute medical care.
Conquest also has the trust’s consultant-led maternity unit. Doctors are available 24 hours a day and the delivery suite has ten rooms, an operating theatre and round-the-clock obstetric and anaesthetic cover.
| Address | The Ridge, St Leonards-on-Sea, TN37 7RD |
| Switchboard | 0300 131 4500 |
| A&E | 24 hours |
| Key services | Trauma, emergency surgery, maternity, paediatrics, intensive care, diagnostics and acute medicine |
Eastbourne District General Hospital
Eastbourne DGH is East Sussex’s other principal acute hospital.
It has a 24-hour emergency department and is the trust’s centre for acute stroke care, urology and day surgery. It also provides acute medicine, diagnostics and a midwifery-led maternity unit.
The Sussex Surgical Centre opened to patients in 2025, increasing capacity for planned surgery at the Eastbourne site.
| Address | Kings Drive, Eastbourne, BN21 2UD |
| Switchboard | 0300 131 4500 |
| A&E | 24 hours |
| Key services | Acute stroke care, urology, acute medicine, planned surgery and diagnostics |
Other East Sussex hospital sites
| Site | Main role | 24-hour general A&E? |
|---|---|---|
| Bexhill Hospital | Ophthalmology, therapy and outpatient services | No |
| Uckfield Community Hospital | Community and outpatient services; also hosts a Minor Injuries Unit | No |
| Rye, Winchelsea and District Memorial Hospital | Intermediate inpatient care, rehabilitation and outpatient services | No |
| Crowborough War Memorial Hospital | Community services and Minor Injuries Unit | No |
| Lewes Victoria Hospital | Community services and Urgent Treatment Centre | No |
Hospitals in Brighton & Hove
Royal Sussex County Hospital
Royal Sussex County Hospital is an acute teaching hospital with a 24-hour general A&E.
It is also the Major Trauma Centre within the Sussex Trauma Network, receiving some of the most seriously injured patients from across Sussex and surrounding areas.
The Brighton campus also includes the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital and Sussex Eye Hospital, which provide specialist children’s and ophthalmic emergency care.
Major trauma
Ambulance clinicians decide the safest destination
A seriously injured patient may be taken directly to Royal Sussex County Hospital or transferred there from another hospital in the Sussex Trauma Network. Patients should not try to choose a trauma centre themselves during an emergency.
Major hospitals and NHS sites in West Sussex
Worthing Hospital
Worthing is a district general hospital with a 24-hour general A&E, intensive care, medicine, surgery, maternity, neonatal care and a range of specialist services.
| Address | Lyndhurst Road, Worthing, BN11 2DH |
| Switchboard | 01903 205111 |
| A&E | 24 hours |
St Richard’s Hospital, Chichester
St Richard’s is the principal acute hospital for Chichester and western West Sussex.
It has a 24-hour general A&E and provides acute medicine, surgery, maternity and neonatal care. Its separate Urgent Treatment Centre currently operates from 10am to 10pm daily.
Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath
Princess Royal is an acute teaching hospital with a 24-hour general A&E, critical care, medicine, surgery, maternity and specialist services.
Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead
Queen Victoria Hospital is a specialist NHS hospital rather than a district general hospital.
It is a leading specialist centre for reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation, with particular expertise in burns, hands, eyes, head and neck surgery, skin cancer, breast reconstruction and maxillofacial care.
The hospital also has a Minor Injuries Unit, currently open from 8am to 8pm every day. It does not have a conventional 24-hour general A&E.
Other West Sussex hospital sites
| Site | Main role | 24-hour general A&E? |
|---|---|---|
| Southlands Hospital, Shoreham-by-Sea | Planned care, outpatients, day surgery, ophthalmology and diagnostics | No |
| Crawley Hospital | Outpatients, diagnostics and day surgery; also hosts Crawley UTC | No |
| Horsham Hospital | Outpatient, diagnostic and community care; also hosts a Minor Injuries Unit | No |
| Bognor Regis War Memorial Hospital | Community, outpatient and minor-injury services | No |
Why some West Sussex patients use East Surrey Hospital
NHS catchment areas do not always follow county boundaries.
East Surrey Hospital in Redhill has a 24-hour emergency department and is the major acute hospital for east Surrey and north-east West Sussex, including the wider Crawley and Gatwick catchment.
That is why someone living in or around Crawley may be taken or referred to East Surrey Hospital rather than Worthing, Chichester or Haywards Heath.
Ambulance services and NHS clinicians decide destinations according to clinical need, specialist capability and local catchment arrangements.
Which NHS organisations run hospital services in Sussex?
Hospital buildings and service providers are not always the same thing. More than one NHS organisation can provide care from a single site.
| NHS organisation | Examples of its role in Sussex |
|---|---|
| East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust | Runs Conquest Hospital, Eastbourne DGH and several East Sussex community hospital services |
| University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust | Runs Royal Sussex County, Royal Alexandra Children’s, Sussex Eye, Princess Royal, Worthing, St Richard’s and Southlands hospitals |
| Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust | Provides community health services and a range of urgent and community services across Sussex |
| Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | Runs the specialist Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead |
| Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust | Runs East Surrey Hospital and provides services used by residents in north-east West Sussex |
Which Sussex hospitals have maternity units?
Maternity provision differs according to hospital, pregnancy and clinical need.
Conquest Hospital has East Sussex Healthcare’s consultant-led maternity unit, with doctors and anaesthetists available around the clock.
Eastbourne DGH has a midwifery-led maternity unit.
University Hospitals Sussex provides maternity services at Royal Sussex County Hospital, Princess Royal Hospital, Worthing Hospital and St Richard’s Hospital.
People should follow the maternity plan and urgent-contact instructions given by their midwife or hospital team rather than choose a maternity unit from a general hospital directory.
How Sussex hospital services are changing
The hospital network is not static.
At Eastbourne DGH, the Sussex Surgical Centre opened to patients in 2025, expanding planned surgical capacity.
Much larger plans involving Eastbourne DGH, Conquest Hospital and Bexhill Community Hospital remain in the Government’s New Hospital Programme. The latest implementation timetable places that combined East Sussex scheme in Wave 3, with an expected construction start between 2037 and 2039.
That means the project should not be described as an imminent wholesale rebuild.
Royal Sussex County Hospital is also continuing through the long-running 3Ts redevelopment. The Louisa Martindale Building is already open, while the new Sussex Cancer Centre is under construction.
Future plans
A redevelopment plan does not change today’s emergency services
Long-term hospital construction programmes can take years to deliver. For urgent medical care, always use current NHS service information rather than future redevelopment plans.
Which hospital or service should you use?
For a planned appointment, attend the hospital and department shown on the appointment letter rather than simply choosing the nearest hospital.
For an urgent problem, the right destination depends on the illness or injury. A community hospital may be geographically closer but may not offer the emergency service required.
Choosing the right service
999 for emergencies, 111 when you are unsure
Life-threatening emergency: call 999.
Urgent but not life-threatening: use NHS 111.
Minor injury: check your local UTC or MIU’s current hours and access arrangements.
Planned appointment: follow the hospital and department named on your booking.
Frequently asked questions
Which Sussex hospitals have a 24-hour general A&E?
Conquest Hospital, Eastbourne District General Hospital, Royal Sussex County Hospital, Princess Royal Hospital, Worthing Hospital and St Richard’s Hospital have 24-hour general emergency departments.
Does Crawley Hospital have A&E?
No. Crawley Hospital has an Urgent Treatment Centre rather than a 24-hour general A&E. The UTC is currently listed as open from 7.30am to 10pm every day.
Does Queen Victoria Hospital have A&E?
Queen Victoria Hospital does not have a conventional 24-hour general A&E. It has a Minor Injuries Unit, currently open from 8am to 8pm every day, alongside specialist reconstructive, burns, hand, eye and maxillofacial services.
Does Southlands Hospital have A&E?
No. Southlands Hospital in Shoreham-by-Sea focuses on planned care, diagnostics, ophthalmology, outpatient services and day surgery.
Where is the specialist eye A&E in Sussex?
Sussex Eye Hospital in Brighton has a 24-hour ophthalmic A&E for urgent eye problems. It is separate from the general A&E at Royal Sussex County Hospital.
Where are the children’s emergency departments?
University Hospitals Sussex lists children’s emergency departments open all day, every day at Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton, Worthing Hospital and St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester.
Which hospital is the Major Trauma Centre for Sussex?
Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton is the Major Trauma Centre within the Sussex Trauma Network.
Should I call 999 or NHS 111?
Call 999 for a life-threatening emergency. Use NHS 111 when you need medical help urgently but the situation is not life-threatening, or when you are unsure which local service is appropriate.
Sources and checking
This guide was checked against current information published by NHS.uk, NHS Surrey and Sussex, East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust and the Department of Health and Social Care.
This article summarises publicly available NHS service information and is not personalised medical advice. Hospital roles, opening hours and access arrangements can change. Current NHS instructions take precedence over this archived guide.
Hospital roles, emergency-service classifications and urgent-care opening hours checked on 8 September 2026.
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