Is the emergency department the best place for you?

If not, there are other options
Search
Call the RAH Locate us
Menu
Patients &
Visitors Health
Professionals Support
Us

Emergency or umm...ergency?

 
675x150 Email banner Red green

Do you know what to do when you’re injured or unwell but it’s not an emergency?

When you’re unsure, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 to speak to a registered nurse 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

When you call healthdirect, you will speak to a registered nurse who can:

  • give advice and support to manage your symptoms safely at home
  • direct you to the most suitable health service, such as a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic or 24/7 pharmacy
  • arrange a consultation with a GP by phone or video call, who can provide scripts if needed
  • connect you to a virtual care service, including the Child and Adolescent Virtual Urgent Care Service or SA Virtual Care Service, who can assess and treat your condition virtually or refer you to a local service, such as Priority Care Centre, if you need an in-person appointment.

And if it is an emergency, healthdirect will call an ambulance or direct you to the nearest emergency department.

Alternative health care options near the Royal Adelaide Hospital

Medicare Urgent Care Clinic

Western Medicare Urgent Care Clinic is now open for patients needing care for urgent, non life-threatening health conditions, and who cannot get an appointment at their usual GP.

This Urgent Care Clinic is staffed by doctors and nurses, providing timely care for the community in a general practice setting, including treatment of minor injuries including sprains and fractures, cuts, wounds and minor illnesses, infections and burns.

This clinic offers: 

  • Walk in service, no appointment or referral needed
  • Bulk billing, no out of pocket payments required
  • 7 days a week opening hours, from 10am to 8pm

Western Medicare Urgent Care Clinic is located at the Old Port Road Medical and Dental Centre,
1202-1210 Old Port Rd, Royal Park 5014

General practice clinics

If your regular GP is unavailable, consider seeing another GP or use telehealth to see a GP online. 

Many GPs are open after hours and on weekends, with some offer bulk billing, meaning services can be provided at no out of pocket cost.

See a list of GP clinics located near the Adelaide CBD:

Mental health

In a mental health emergency:

Mental Health Triage Service
Available 24 hours, 7 days
Call 13 14 65

Urgent Mental Health Care Centre
215 Grenfell Street, Adelaide 5000
Available 24 hours, 7 days
Call 08 8448 9100

A comprehensive range of other mental health services are provided through community health centres, hospitals and in-home.

Pharmacies

Pharmacies and pharmacists are a great source of free health information and can give advise on non-prescription medicines.

Appointments are not usually needed and information about how to treat minor illnesses and injuries can be provided quickly and easily.

Many pharmacies are open late, on weekends and public holidays. 

To find a local pharmacy, including those that are open after hours, visit the Heathdirect service finder or call 1800 022 222. 

Nearest pharmacies in or near the RAH: 

TerryWhite Chemmart
Royal Adelaide Hospital (Level 3, ground floor)
Telephone: 8212 3296

Superpharmacy,
187 Franklin Street, Adelaide
Telephone: 8211 7044

Central Station Pharmacy
52-54 Hindley Street, Adelaide
Telephone: 8231 8834

Allied health

Allied health professionals can help with a range of medical issues, including sprains, muscle pain, eye conditions, and many other medical conditions.

To find an allied health professional near you, visit the Heathdirect service finder.

675x150 Email banner Red green

Work with us

Want to work at one of Australia’s most advanced healthcare facilities? Apply now to join a truly world-class health network and see where your next career move could take you.

Careers at the RAH
Back to top