What is an emergency department?
An emergency department (ED) is part of a hospital that provides 24-hour emergency care to patients who need urgent medical attention for severe injuries or illness. Most public hospitals in Australia have an emergency department.
EDs have trained doctors and other healthcare professionals to care for you if you have a medical emergency. When you come to the ED with a serious illness or injury, specially trained staff will assess, treat and start your care as needed.
Some EDs provide services only to particular groups of patients, for example, EDs at children’s hospitals and some women’s hospitals. Most EDs accept all emergencies.
In an emergency medical situation, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.
To find your closest emergency department, use the healthdirect online service finder tool.
If you live in a rural and remote area that is far from a hospital ED, you can check the Royal Flying Doctor Service website for details on how to contact the service near you.
Some areas have Medicare urgent care clinics that are open late and give treatment for non-life threatening injuries or illnesses. Examples include bites, stings, rashes and minor cuts.
If you’re not sure what to do, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for advice, 24 hours a day (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). When and why should I visit an ED?
You should only go to a hospital ED if you or your child are seriously ill or injured or if you become unwell suddenly.
You may need to go to ED for these severe or urgent conditions:
heart attack or stroke severe pain problems with breathing or bleeding loss of consciousness or unexplained fitting allergic reactions severe mental health concernIf you’re injured from an accident or other incident, you may also need to go to an ED. Some examples include:
injuries from accidents, physical assaults or falls broken bones drug overdoses or poisoning severe burnsIf you are pregnant and experience an emergency, you can go to ED or call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance. If your concern is less urgent, contact your usual doctor, midwife, or maternity unit.
Your GP is the best person to treat minor emergencies such as sprains and strains, minor infections and for the management of ongoing illness or injury.
Your local pharmacist can provide support to help you manage your health. They can help you manage minor symptoms such as colds and flu, skin conditions, allergies, headaches, diarrhoea or constipation, or sleeping problems. They can guide you on when to see your doctor or other health professionals. Pharmacists can also advise you on how to access specialist services in your area or find reliable health information.
In regional and rural areas of Australia, emergency care may be provided by different medical staff, such as GPs or rural doctors, nurses, Royal Flying Doctors Service and paramedics.