Clinical toxicology service

The Clinical Toxicology Service at Guy's and St Thomas' Poisons Unit is led by two consultant clinical toxicologists with a team of junior doctors, further supported by a dedicated clinical toxicology database scientist. They have close links with information and laboratory scientists at the Trust. 

Advice on acute poisonings / overdose

Enquiries from healthcare providers concerning the management of patients presenting with acute poisoning should be directed urgently to the National Poisons Information Service on 0844 892 0111 or by using the on-line information database TOXBASE (www.toxbase.org). 

Patients and their relatives with enquiries concerning poisoning / overdose should contact NHS Direct on 08454647. 

Clinics and referrals

Medical Toxicology Clinic

Patients with recognized or suspected poisoning are seen and assessed in the medical toxicology clinic, held weekly at Guy's Hospital.

This clinic receives patient referrals predominantly from the greater London area and South East England, but can accept referrals from anywhere in the UK.

Patients must be referred by their General Practitioner or local hospital; we do not take direct referrals from patients.

Paediatric cases will normally need to be reviewed by a local paediatrician prior to referral, for clinical assessment and examination.

Currently the toxicology clinic accepts written referrals from GPs and hospital doctors, although it will be available on the Choose and Book system in the future.

Medical Toxicology Office,
2nd Floor, Bermondsey Wing, Guy's Hospital,
Great Maze Pond,
London SE1 9RT

The clinic is supported by a team of consultant psychiatrists psychologists, and patients should be aware that they may be seen additionally by these members of the team as part of their clinical assessment here.

Inpatient Clinical Toxicology Service

This inpatient service provides specialist advice in the management of poisoned patients presenting to St Thomas' Hospital. Patients who have been admitted to the Emergency Department's Clinical Decision Unit (CDU), a general medical ward, or critical care ward with the diagnosis of poisoning are seen and assessed on the daily SpR / Consultant led clinical toxicology ward round. 

A specialist registrar in clinical toxicology and/or consultant is available on call to either assess or provide advice on acutely poisoned patients presenting to St Thomas' Hospital Emergency Department.