Acute Admissions Service

Patients admitted to our service usually need unplanned urgent but non-emergency support for vital organs such as their heart, lungs, liver or kidneys. Some stay just a few days to recover from surgery or an illness, while others may need a longer stay. That could be several weeks or more, depending on their condition. 

Sometimes patient may be readmitted into HCA UK’s care if they develop complications following surgery or another medical procedure that they have had with us.

We commonly provide urgent support for: 

• Respiratory conditions such as pneumonia and COPD
• Cardiac conditions including heart failure, arrhythmias, blood clots, pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis
• Neurological conditions including acute confusion, worsening dementia and seizures
• Gastrointestinal and HPB conditions including acute biliary problems, acute appendicitis and intestinal obstruction
• General medical conditions including acute infections, worsening diabetes and geriatric conditions
• Acute and chronic liver failure
• Acute and chronic renal failure, with dialysis if its needed

At HCA UK, we’re highly experienced at looking after patients from all over the world. Whether your patient has international private medical insurance (IPMI) or is paying for care themselves, our Medical Concierge team can manage the entire admissions process into our acute care. With just one call, they’ll organise everything, from the transfer itself to placing your patient in the most suitable unit for their needs.

We understand how stressful it can be to organise care away from home. That’s why we offer a full range of services to support international patients and their families – from interpreters and prayer rooms to support with admissions.

Yes, having private healthcare does not mean you have to use it. You have the choice to use your medical insurance or be treated by the NHS. Additionally, choosing to have your treatment privately does not mean you will no longer be entitled to NHS care. The NHS is always available to you, and the accepting facility can transfer you back should you want to. 

We can’t accept self-referrals, but as long as you’ve been reviewed by a GP or consultant and can supply a referral letter, we can arrange a transfer from your home to a HCA UK hospital.

Yes, you can. We do our best to be flexible with visiting times while making sure our patients stay safe and get the care they need. Usually, up to two visitors can be at the bedside at one time. For safety reasons, overnight stays aren’t permitted.

We ask that visitors don’t come in if they’re feeling unwell. If you’re planning to bring children, please speak to the intensive care nurse first to check that it’s appropriate. If you need special visiting arrangements, we’ll always try to accommodate you. Just ask to speak with the nurse in charge, who’ll be happy to help.

We’re committed to treating all our patients with dignity, respect and care at every step, from their initial arrival with us through to helping them recover at home. Our Acute Admissions Service is clinically led by senior multi-disciplinary nurse specialists, who’ll personally navigate and advocate for your patient throughout their healthcare journey. They provide vital continuity of care and rapid access to consultants and treatments across our network of hospitals.

We work within HCA UK’s best practice governance framework, which is built around uncompromising patient safety standards, and we’re supported in our pursuit of excellence by our Clinical Quality Guidance Council: a multidisciplinary panel of clinicians, all leaders in their field.

Many of HCA UK’s hospitals and facilities have achieved the highest Care Quality Commission (CQC) rating of ‘Outstanding’, and the Concierge Centre itself has been awarded ‘Best Healthcare Concierge Service’ in Greater London by the Private Healthcare Awards for the last three years.