The WA Poisons Information Centre (WAPIC) is an emergency phone service to the states of Western Australia and South Australia and the Northern Territory providing management advice in cases of suspected poisoning and known poisonings. Advice is also provided on drug information and poisoning prevention.
The WAPIC handles on average 40,000 phone calls annually. Twenty five percent of the calls are received from medical professionals managing cases of poisoning. Seventy five percent of calls are received from the general public, carers and other personnel. Specialists in Poisons Information are trained to handle cases involving exposures to pharmaceuticals, veterinary medicines, household products, industrial products, pesticides, plants, mushrooms, and bites and stings from marine and land animals.
The WA Clinical Toxicology service is closely aligned with the WAPIC and provides medical consultation to medical callers managing serious and complex cases.