On July 14th, 1990 the Accident and Emergency Department of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital was offically opened. This evolved from the previously known Casualty Department which was thought to be inadequate. Since its inception however, the new Department has undergone new problems, the major ones being:- medical and nursing staff shortages, long waiting and treatment times, abandonment of the elderly in the Department, equipment failure and delays in obtaining laboratory results. In view of these problems, a cross-sectional survey of 200 patients picked by random tables was conducted in the Accident and Emergency Department from August - November 1999. Patients were interviewed by telephone to determine their perception of the services offered. Results showed that despite the Department's shortcomings the majority of patients were overall satisfied with the services offered. However, recommendations have been put forward from the patients' comments to improve these services and make the Department more effective