Emergencies

In an emergency

If you have a life-threatening medical condition, call 000 and request an ambulance.

If you have an urgent medical condition you can also come to our Emergency Department.

We are located in G Block, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Hospital Ave, Nedlands, and operate 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

If you are coming into our Emergency Department, if possible please bring with you:

  • your Medicare Card
  • any other entitlement cards (health care, pension, veterans, safety net)
  • your passport/health insurance details (overseas visitors/students)
  • private health insurance details (if you want to be admitted as a private patient)
  • a list of your current medications
  • any x-rays/ultrasounds/scans that may be related to your condition
  • your employment contact details if your condition is covered by Workers’ Compensation
  • the name of your General Practitioner (GP).

Please be aware that patients are seen in order of illness severity, and not in order of attendance. If another patient comes to the Emergency Department with a more serious condition, you will be required to wait. We thank you for your patience and understanding.

In Australia, overseas visitors, overseas students and patients who are not eligible for Medicare under their current VISA arrangements are required to pay for the cost of their health care. Please contact the Overseas Liaison Officer on (08) 6457 1809 or email NMHS.OPLO@health.wa.gov.au to obtain information regarding fees for your appointment.

 

When you arrive

Please see the triage nurse first. They will ask questions and assess your condition to determine your level of priority:

  1. Immediate (life threatening)
  2. Very urgent
  3. Urgent
  4. Standard
  5. Non-urgent

Some patients need to be taken straight into the department. Others will be directed to the waiting room.

While you are waiting, please inform the triage nurse if:

  • your condition worsens
  • you decide to seek treatment elsewhere.

 

What happens next?

Once you are inside the Emergency Department, you will undergo a thorough assessment by a team of nursing and medical staff.

Tests and procedures will be carried out when necessary. The team will review your test results and provide emergency treatment, and will then decide to either:

  • allow you to return home with a referral if necessary for further care (such as a follow-up appointment with your local doctor or an outpatient appointment)
  • monitor your condition for a few hours before making a decision
  • admit you to the hospital for further care.

Sometimes patients must wait for test results or for a ward bed to become available. This may cause unavoidable delays in the Emergency Department. Our staff will continue to care for you until you are able to go to a ward or be discharged home.

 

Your Emergency Department Journey

 

 

Metropolitan emergency departments

In an emergency situation, present to your nearest Emergency Department. Other metropolitan Emergency Departments include:

Overseas patient fees

Hospital fees for patients who are not eligible for Medicare are set by the WA Department of Health.  Overseas visitors and overseas students are required to pay for the cost of their care. More information about overseas patient fees.

Tertiary hospital - what that means to you

Education is a key mission of Sir Charles Gairdner Osborne Park Health Care Group (SCGOPHCG), as we know continual learning at all levels is key to improving patient care.

You will come across learners in all fields, from students through to senior practitioners and all are bound by rules of ethical behaviour and confidentiality. If you do not wish a learner to be involved you can say no as we recognise you may be unwell or stressed, however most patients learn more about their condition when learners are involved in their care.

If you have any concerns about any interaction, please contact us via email: SCGOPHCG.MedEd@health.wa.gov.au.

Last Updated: 05/03/2024