For a genuine emergency, anywhere in the UK, dial 999, or go straight to the Royal United Hospital's Emergency Department on Combe Park, which is open 24 hours a day, every day, with no appointment needed. For anything that isn't life-threatening, call NHS 111 free from any phone before you go anywhere; it's staffed around the clock and will tell you whether you need A&E, a pharmacist, or just some advice. Bath doesn't have a separate tourist medical centre, so these two routes cover almost every situation.
Nobody plans to need this information on holiday, but knowing it before you need it saves a stressful search later. Here's the honest picture.
In a genuine emergency
Call 999 for anything life-threatening: chest pain, severe bleeding, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness. If you can get there yourself, Bath's Emergency Department is at the Royal United Hospital, Combe Park, Bath, BA1 3NG, about a mile and a half northwest of the city centre. It's a 24-hour, seven-day walk-in service, so you don't need to book. The hospital's general enquiries line is 01225 824391, and its main switchboard is 01225 428331.
Not sure if it's urgent? Call 111
NHS 111 is the UK's free, 24-hour non-emergency health line, reachable by phone or online at 111.nhs.uk. Call before turning up anywhere: the service will ask what's wrong and direct you to the right place, whether that's self-care advice, a pharmacist, a same-day appointment, or the Emergency Department if it turns out you do need it. For anyone visiting from outside the UK, this is genuinely the fastest way to get pointed in the right direction, and it's free to call from any phone, including most mobiles.
Pharmacies (chemists)
For minor ailments, a pharmacist can often help faster than any doctor, and Bath has branches of the main UK chains in the centre, including Boots on Westgate Street and in the SouthGate centre. Opening hours vary quite a bit by branch and by day, particularly on Sundays, so rather than print a time that might be wrong by the time you read this, use the NHS's own pharmacy finder at nhs.uk or just call ahead. Pharmacists can also advise on the nearest branch that's open if the one you try is shut.
Dental problems
Dental pain rarely counts as a 999 emergency, but it can genuinely ruin a trip. Call NHS 111 first; they handle dental as well as medical triage and can point you to urgent dental provision in the area, or you can look for a private dentist in the centre who takes same-day patients if you'd rather not wait.
Travelling with children or an older relative
The same two numbers apply whoever you're travelling with: 999 for an emergency, 111 for everything else. If you're visiting with young children, it's worth noting the Emergency Department's address and the NHS 111 number in your phone before you're actually dealing with a worried child, rather than searching for it one-handed at the time. A pharmacist is also a good first stop for common childhood ailments like a temperature or an upset stomach, and can advise whether you need to go further.
If you're visiting from outside the UK
Emergency Department treatment in England is free at the point of use for everyone, regardless of where you're from or your immigration status. Where charging can apply to overseas visitors is if you're admitted as an inpatient or given a follow-up outpatient appointment; that's when hospitals may bill non-residents unless a reciprocal healthcare agreement or another exemption applies. If you have travel insurance, it's worth informing the hospital and keeping any paperwork, just in case.
Getting to the RUH
The Royal United Hospital is a short taxi ride from the centre, and there's pay-and-display parking on site if you're driving yourself or a companion. If you'd rather not drive while worried about someone else, see our Bath taxi companies compared guide for booking options, several of which run 24 hours. If you're staying centrally, check our where-to-stay guide for how far your accommodation is from Combe Park before you need to find out the hard way.
The honest takeaway
Save two numbers before you need them: 999 for a genuine emergency, and 111 for everything else. The Royal United Hospital's Emergency Department never closes, and a pharmacist can usually sort out the small stuff faster than either. If you're travelling with children, our Bath with kids guide covers other practical basics worth knowing before you arrive, and things to do in Bath is the place to start once you're back on your feet.
Hospital address, phone numbers and NHS policy checked against the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust's own site and NHS overseas-visitor guidance, September 2026.