Emergency departments

Most Queensland public hospitals have an emergency department open 24 hours. You don’t need an appointment—patients are treated in order of priority.

Emergency departments work on a triage system, which means when you arrive, a medical assessment is carried out to see how ill you are. You will be given a rating from 1 to 5.

• Rating 1 means you need the most urgent care.
• Rating 5 means you can expect to wait longer to see a doctor

Deciding to go to an emergency department

Deciding whether to go to an emergency department depends on the severity of your injury or illness.

In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) and ask for 'ambulance'. Once the paramedics arrive they will decide on your care. This may include taking you to the nearest emergency department or treating you at the scene. You may be asked to see your general practitioner for any follow-up treatment.

If it’s not an emergency, call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84). Qualified staff are available 24 hours a day. They will advise you on what to do and if you need to go to the emergency department.

What to expect at emergency department

When you arrive at the emergency department you will be asked for your name, contact details and Medicare card. Your medical condition will then be assessed. This may include tests such as X-rays or blood tests.

You will either be taken to a treatment room straight away, or asked to go to the waiting room.

Even if the waiting room does not appear to be busy, medical staff may be treating patients brought in by ambulance or those with urgent medical needs.

What happens after your consultation will vary depending on you medical condition. You may need to:

• see a specialist
• be admitted to the hospital
• be observed for a while longer by medical staff
• get treatment such as a plaster cast or stitches
• get a prescription for medication
• be transferred to another hospital for specialist treatment.

Your condition and treatment will determine how long you need to stay in the emergency department. While you may get frustrated waiting longer than another patient, remember that emergency departments are very busy places and staff do their best to see you as quickly as possible.

Before you leave the emergency department make sure you:

• understand the treatment you were given and what care you require
• know what medicines you need to take and why
• know when you need to see a doctor again and who to see (your general practitioner, the specialist or outpatient clinic)
• ask if you need a medical certificate, a letter for your general practitioner or Work Cover

• take all your belongings with you.

Cost of emergency treatment

Emergency medical treatment is provided free to Medicare card holders at Queensland Health hospitals. You may have to pay for services if you do not hold a Medicare card. Find out more about the cost to access public health services.

You will pay for services if you attend a private hospital emergency department, even if you hold a Medicare card.

Find an emergency department

To find your nearest emergency department use the postcode search, then click on the closest hospital listed. Look for the emergency department symbol (a red cross inside a square).

Feedback on emergency treatment

To leave feedback about your visit and care, you can

• speak with staff or a Patient Liaison Officer
• complete an online feedback form.

Visit the making a complaint about health services page if you would like to lodge a complaint.