Information sign
Hospital with A&E sign
What does the Hospital with A&E sign mean?
A red H shows a hospital with an accident and emergency department or urgent treatment centre.
Also known as: Red H sign, Accident and emergency sign
What it means
There is a hospital ahead with accident and emergency or urgent treatment facilities.
The red H marks emergency care. If the sign says not 24 hrs, the facilities are not open all the time.
Near the hospital, look out for ambulances with flashing lights and be ready to let them through safely.
Where you'll see it
On the approach to hospitals with A&E, and as a red H patch on direction signs.
Rules to know
Hospitals with accident and emergency departments or urgent treatment centres are indicated by red signs.
Know Your Traffic Signs, p. 137
The words 'not 24 hrs' are left off when the facilities are available at all times.
Know Your Traffic Signs, p. 137
Common mistakes
Mistake: Assuming every red H is open around the clock.
Instead: If the sign says not 24 hrs, the emergency department is not always open.
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© Crown copyright. Free to reuse under the Open Government Licence v3.0, as long as the sign is reproduced accurately and not in a misleading context.
Related signs
Often confused with
Hospital (no A&E)
Information sign
A blue H: a hospital without A&E.
More information signs
All information signs
Sources
- Know Your Traffic Signs (Department for Transport, Sixth edition, 2023), Information signs, p. 137
Sign image: Department for Transport, Traffic sign images (diagram 827.2). © Crown copyright, reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Last reviewed 6 October 2026. This page explains the sign in our own words; for the full rules, see The Highway Code. How we source and check content