Emergency Department

An emergency department (ED) is part of a hospital that provides 24-hour emergency care to patients who need urgent medical attention. Most public hospitals in Australia have an emergency department. Only people with severe injury or illness should go to the ED.

What is an emergency department?

EDs have highly trained doctors and other health professionals on site to deal with emergencies. They assess, treat, stabilise, and start the health management of people who have come to the ED with a serious illness or injury.

Some emergency departments specialise. For example, there are emergency department attached to children’s hospitals, some women’s hospitals and some eye or ear hospitals. Most EDs, however, accept all emergencies.

When and why should you visit an ED?

You should go to a hospital ED if you or your child are seriously ill or injured.

People often take babies or children to public hospital EDs if they become ill suddenly. Many older people go there for urgent attention too.

Most people go to EDs with conditions that include:

• injuries from accidents, physical assaults or falls
• heart attack and stroke
• severe pain
• problems with breathing or bleeding
• broken bones
• loss of consciousness
• worsening of a serious illness
• drug overdoses or poisoning
• allergic reactions
• pregnancy complications
• mental illness
• burns

A GP can often deal with minor emergencies such as sprains and strains, bites, stings, viruses, infections, eye injuries and ongoing illness or injury. A pharmacy can help with colds and flu, skin conditions, allergies, headaches, diarrhoea, or constipation, or sleeping problems.

What happens first when you visit an ED?

When you go to an ED, the first step is usually for an administrative staff member to get your name, address, and Medicare number. This is important to make sure that you receive the treatment you need, and to avoid confusing your healthcare management with anybody else’s. This step is bypassed (or skipped) in an emergency.

Alternatives to an ED

If you have a minor illness or injury that does not need emergency treatment, you can ask for an appointment with your GP during regular hours, or visit an after-hours medical centre.