The AMAU is dedicated to the rapid assessment, investigation, and treatment of adult patients aged 16 and older with various medical conditions.

Service Overview

The unit is equipped with seven trolleys and is managed by a lead medical consultant, along with physicians, advanced nurse practitioners, a clinical nurse manager, nursing staff, and other members of the multidisciplinary team. These key personnel work together to create patient-centered care plans and facilitate diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, and other necessary assessments to determine whether a patient should be discharged or admitted to the hospital.

Discharge

Typically, a decision regarding discharge or admission is made within six hours of the patient's arrival in the AMAU. If a patient is discharged, their general practitioner (GP) will be informed of the decision, along with the relevant clinical information and any follow-up care plan. In cases where admission is necessary, patients from the AMAU will be allocated to inpatient beds, including specialized units such as the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) or the High Dependency Unit.

AMAU Referrals

An individual presenting to hospital without a GP referral requires to be seen in the Emergency Department triage in the first instance. Otherwise, referrals are received from:

• Emergency Department (ED) (From Triage)
• ED Registrar Clinic
• General Practitioner Referral
• Other sources (E.g. Out-patient department)

AMAU Patient Suitability

• Chest pain/Palpitations
• Cough/Chest infection
• Difficulty of breathing
• Headache
• Collapse
• Diabetic non-emergencies
• Hypertension
• Grossly abnormal blood tests
• Confirmed clot

AMAU Benefits

• Early assessment and avoidance of admission
• Access to urgent care services
• Prompt review of a senior medical physician
• Efficient decision for admission or discharge
• Delivery of quality and safe care without requiring an overnight hospital stay
• Reduction of ED overcrowding