Surgical Assessment Unit (SAU)

The Surgical Assessment Unit (SAU) at Southmead Hospital is the single point of entry for patients who have a surgical problem requiring urgent assessment.

All stable emergency admissions to:

• general surgery
• urology
• vascular surgery

are admitted via the SAU.

Most patients are referred into SAU by their GP using the Hub, but some come via Southmead Emergency Department or are transferred from other hospitals.

The principle of care at SAU is that you will undergo investigations and assessment on the unit and will be discharged, with appropriate treatment, without requiring hospital admission. This care is delivered in an ambulatory care environment also known as a ‘hot clinic’.