If you or someone you are caring for has an immediate life-threatening condition, phone 000 or go to the Emergency Department.
The Emergency Department is for serious or life-threatening injuries or illnesses.
If you are unsure about whether you need to go to the Emergency Department, you can use Healthdirect’s Symptom Checker or phone their helpline on 1800 022 222 for free health advice from registered nurses 24 hours, 7 days a week.
You can also use the Canberra Health Service tool online.
Examples of life-threatening conditions include:
Mental health emergencies
For mental health emergencies call Access Mental Health on 1800 629 354 or (02) 6205 1065, available 24 hours, 7 days a week for immediate support and assistance.
Cancer Rapid Assessment Unit (RAU)
If your receiving treatment for cancer at the Canberra Region Cancer Centre and are experiencing an urgent medical issue related to your treatment call the triage line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on (02) 5124 4401.
If you or your family have an urgent health problem that is not life-threatening and your GP is not available, you can visit a Walk-in Centre.
Walk-in Centres and are open 7 days a week, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day between 7:30am to 10:00pm.
Many GP clinics offer extended opening hours in the evenings and on weekends. Check your GP’s opening hours, or find-a-heath service near you.
If you can’t see your regular GP, you can contact CALMS or 13 SICK – National Home Doctor Service who provide after-hours GP care.
CALMS, the Canberra After hours Locum Medical Service, provides after-hours medical care and advice to all people living in and visiting the ACT.
A phone triage and appointment system, staffed by experienced registered nurses and call takers, operates Monday to Friday, 6pm to 8.30am, and 24 hours on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. A fee applies for consultations.
To access this service or make an appointment phone 1300 422 567.
For more information visit the CALMS website.
Call 13 SICK (13 74 25) for a bulk billed, after hours doctor home visit for most Canberra suburbs.
The booking line is open from 6pm weekdays, 12pm Saturdays and all day Sunday and public holidays.
All home visits are bulk billed for patients with a Medicare or Gold DVA card.
For more information visit the Home Doctor website.
Your local pharmacy or chemist can offer advice on minor illness without the need to book an appointment. You can receive advice from a pharmacist if you have the following symptoms:
Pharmacies also offer services such as dispensing prescription medicines and emergency contraception.
Healthdirect
If you are unsure what to do call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for free health advice from experienced registered nurses 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Experienced registered nurses will provide immediate advice on how urgent your problem is and what to do about it – whether you should see a local GP, manage the condition at home, or go to an emergency department.
You can also visit healthdirect’s symptom checker to get professional health advice about the most appropriate response to medical concerns for you and your family.
