When to Go to a 24-Hour Clinic: Warning Signs You Shouldn't Ignore

Short answer: Go to a 24-hour clinic straight away, without waiting for morning, if someone has difficulty breathing, chest pain, heavy bleeding, a seizure, confusion, signs of dehydration or, in pregnancy, bleeding, severe headache or reduced baby movements. For life-threatening emergencies, call 999 or 112.

It's 11 p.m. and a family member is unwell. Do you wait for morning or go now? These guidelines help you decide.

Call 999 or 112 immediately for

• Unconsciousness or unresponsiveness
• Severe chest pain or pressure, especially spreading to the arm or jaw
• Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, drooping face or slurred speech (possible stroke)
• Severe bleeding that won't stop with pressure
• Serious road accident injuries

Come to a 24-hour clinic now if

Adults

• High fever with confusion, stiff neck or a rash that doesn't fade when pressed
• Difficulty breathing or an asthma attack not relieved by the inhaler
• Persistent vomiting or diarrhoea with very little urine
• Severe abdominal pain
• Deep cuts, burns or animal bites
• Very high blood pressure with a severe headache or blurred vision

Children

• Fast or difficult breathing, or the chest pulling in with each breath
• Unable to drink or breastfeed, or vomiting everything
• Convulsions (fits)
• Unusually sleepy or difficult to wake
• Sunken eyes, no tears or a dry mouth (dehydration)
• Babies under 2 months with any fever

Pregnancy

• Vaginal bleeding
• Severe headache, blurred vision or swelling of the face and hands
• Baby moving less than usual
• Waters breaking before labour
• Fever or severe abdominal pain

It can usually wait for a day visit if

• Mild cold or cough without breathing difficulty
• Mild rash without fever
• Routine medication refills
• Minor aches that improve with rest

If you're unsure, it's always reasonable to come in. We'd rather see you early.

Your right to emergency treatment

Under Article 43(2) of the Constitution of Kenya, no one may be denied emergency medical treatment. SHA's Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund (ECCIF) supports emergency care for registered members.

Primegala is open 24 hours

We're at Maili Sita on the Nakuru–Nyahururu Road, opposite Kiamaina Primary School. When something needs more care than a Level 3 facility can give, we stabilise the patient and coordinate referral to a higher-level hospital. Learn more about our 24-hour urgent care.