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Acute Admissions Unit (AAU)

Your 24/7 hospital admission service

The Acute Admissions Unit (AAU) at Cromwell Hospital provides fast, frictionless access for acutely unwell patients to be assessed and admitted to a dedicated secondary care centre. Operating 24/7, our service provides access for clinicians to refer both UK-based and international patients age 18 and over into a consultant-led service.  

Led by a Consultant Acute Physician with support from a dedicated onsite multidisciplinary team, our Acute Admissions Unit has immediate access to consultant-led specialties, including cardiology, orthopaedics, general surgery, and gynaecology to support a seamless patient journey. 

Once assessed, our integrated service will ensure your patient's care is managed by the most appropriate specialist consultant team, all under one roof at Cromwell Hospital. 

Please note, this is a referral-only service and we do not accept self-referrals from patients. 

Call us on 020 7341 5032 > 

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Consultant-led care

We provide exceptional consultant-led care, with support from a 24/7 resident physician and critical care capability. 

24/7 access

We provide round-the-clock fast, frictionless access, with admissions available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Rapid assessment

Our doctors will assess patients within 30 minutes of their arrival, helping set them on the road to recovery faster. 

Convenient location

Cromwell Hospital is located in South Kensington, London, which is easily accessible via taxi and public transport.

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Dr Sarah Frankton introduces the Acute Admissions Unit

Dr Sarah Frankton, Chief Medical Officer and Consultant Physician in Acute Medicine, introduces our Acute Admissions Unit.

Admissions

The Acute Admissions Unit is referral-only service for adult patients with serious but non-life-threatening illness. We accept referrals from clinicians on behalf of private patients, consultants, embassies, or corporate clients.  

We do not accept self-referrals from patients. If you are a patient and think you require admission, you can access our private GP services or Urgent Care Centre at Cromwell Hospital.  

How to refer a patient 

  1. Contact the Clinical Site Manager on 020 7341 5032 to discuss your proposed admission to the AAU. They will complete a referral form with you on the phone. Alternatively, use the 'Refer a patient' form below and a member of the team will be in touch.
  2. If your patient meets the criteria for admission, they will receive an admission time for the unit. If required, we can support with transportation via private ambulance from a clinician-led service. 
  3. Once the patient arrives, they will be admitted to our dedicated admissions unit for immediate assessment by a nurse. The patient will then be assessed by a doctor within 30 minutes. 
  4. If necessary, we will carry out further diagnostics and tests. A treatment plan will be arranged in conjunction with the consultant of the day. 
  5. We will contact you at each step of the patient's pathway, keeping you informed of their diagnosis and treatment plan.

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The Acute Admissions Unit can provide the following (please be aware this list is not exhaustive):

  • Respiratory conditions: COPD, pneumonia, chest infections.
  • Cardiac conditions: heart failure, arrhythmias, PE, DVT, non-specific chest pains.
  • GI complaints: vomiting, suspected biliary issues, suspected obstructions, generalised abdominal pain.
  • Neurological conditions: dizziness, confusion, headaches.
  • Skin complaints: cellulitis, rashes, mild/moderate allergic reactions, abscesses.
  • Urological conditions: pyelonephritis, UTIs, kidney stones.
  • General: diabetic-related complaints, fevers, deranged bloods, general investigations.

The Acute Admissions Unit does not provide the following: 

  • Acute emergency care for limb or life-threatening conditions 
  • Care for pregnant women 
  • Services for patients under the age of 18. 

We cannot provide care for the following conditions: 

  • High-risk communicable infections (i.e., Ebola) 
  • Acute stroke (FAST +ve) 
  • Acute MI 
  • Chemical exposure 
  • Major trauma (i.e., amputation, arterial haemorrhage, penetrating eye injury, falls more than 3m) 
  • Overdose and poisoning 
  • Acute mental health conditions. 

Occupational therapy service

We provide a dedicated occupational therapy (OT) service for patients admitted to the AAU.

Our therapists deliver comprehensive assessments that take into account a patient’s medical history, function, and mobility, and home environment to provide tailored recommendations and interventions. This assessment can take place at home or while in hospital.

This service is designed to support patients in maintaining their safety and independence at home, thereby reducing the risk of readmission into hospital.

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This service includes:

  • functional assessment, including transfer and mobility assessment, wash and dress, and toileting assessment
  • cognitive assessment
  • equipment prescription
  • recommendations for private therapy and/or private carers, including providing a full handover to these services
  • home visit to assess a patient’s home environment and functional performance with the home. The home visit package includes a follow up report outlining the assessment outcomes, risks and recommendations. The home visit report is able to be sent to all stakeholders involved in the patient’s care. Follow-up home visits are also able to be completed to check the safety and use of equipment once it has been installed.
  • equipment assessments with specialised equipment suppliers and technicians

Refer a patient

Clear

Referring health professional details

About the patient

Ways to pay

Medical insurance 

Cromwell Hospital works with a range of private medical insurers. We advise that patients contact their private medical insurer to ensure that their admission will be covered.  

Find out more about paying with insurance >

Self-pay 

If a patient wishes to self-pay for their care, a deposit will be taken upon admission to the unit.  

Find out more about self-pay >

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Our location

Our address is:

164-178 Cromwell Road
London
SW5 0TU

Get directions >

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