Emergency Department
An Emergency Department (ED) in Australia is a specialised hospital unit operating 24/7 to treat critical, severe, and life-threatening medical emergencies. Patients are seen based on the severity of their condition through a process called triage, meaning those with non-urgent illnesses may wait several hours before being seen.
When should you go to the Emergency Department?
The ED is designed for urgent, serious or potentially life-threatening conditions that require immediate medical attention. You should go to the ED if you experience:
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Loss of consciousness
- Chest pain, pressure, or tightness
- Rapid heartbeat with dizziness
- Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the face, arm, or leg
- Sudden confusion, slurred speech, or vision changes
- Severe or uncontrolled bleeding
- Coughing or vomiting blood
- Burns covering a large part of the body
- Choking or obstruction of the airway
- High fever with stiff neck, rash, or sensitivity to light
- Severe abdominal pain
- Suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis
What happens when you arrive?
Arriving at the ED can feel stressful, especially if it’s your first time visiting. Here’s what to expect:
- Registration: On arrival, you will be asked to provide your name, date of birth, Medicare card, and a brief description of your symptoms. If you arrived by ambulance, some of the information may already be in your file.
- Triage: A nurse will assess you to determine the urgency of your condition. Australia uses the Australasian Triage Scale (ATS).
- Assessment and treatment: Once you are called in, a doctor or nurse practitioner will assess your condition. Depending on your condition, this may include blood tests, X-rays, IV fluids, medications, or hospitalisation for further care.
- Discharge or admission: After treatment, you will either be discharged with a care plan and follow-up instructions or admitted to a hospital ward if further treatment or monitoring is required.
ED vs. Urgent Care vs. GP and Telehealth: Making the right choice
Choosing the right healthcare service for your situation helps ensure you receive timely treatment and supports the effective use of healthcare services. When EDs are used for non-urgent issues, it can increase waiting times and divert resources away from patients who need immediate attention and treatment.
- Emergency Department (ED): For serious, life-threatening conditions that require immediate hospital care.
- Urgent Care Clinics: For injuries or illnesses requiring immediate attention but not life-threatening.
- GP or telehealth services: For non-urgent conditions such as mild infections, routine prescriptions, or medical certificates.
Emergency warning: If there is a life-threatening emergency, call 000 immediately. However, many Australians visit the ED for minor illnesses because they can’t get a timely GP appointment. For non-urgent concerns such as mild infections or medical certificates, Hola Health provides lightning-fast access to Australian doctors online, available after-hours, on weekends and on public holidays. Getting the right care in the right place helps keep EDs free for those who truly need them.
Medical Disclaimer: The content on this page is for informational purposes only.
