If you’re not feeling well in Tasmania, there are various health services you can access depending on your symptoms and the severity of your condition. When you’re unwell, there are a range of different care options available in Tasmania. Choosing the most appropriate service for your needs can help you get the right care sooner and help busy services.
Is it an emergency?
If you think you need an ambulance or your injury or illness is critical or life-threatening, call triple zero (0 0 0) for an ambulance immediately, or go to your closest emergency department.
Situations that may be classed as requiring an ambulance may include injuries from an accident, heart attack, trouble breathing, excessive bleeding, drug overdoses, or pregnancy complications.
Public hospitals which have emergency departments in Tasmania are Royal Hobart Hospital, Launceston General Hospital, Mersey Community Hospital, and North West Regional Hospital. Treatment is free to Medicare cardholders.
Some private hospitals have Emergency Departments available to everyone but there will be at a cost.
- Calvary Hospital (Lenah Valley)
- Hobart Private Hospital (Hobart Central Business District)
Is it just urgent?
Urgent care is when you need medical attention for an illness or injury that can be managed without a trip to the emergency department but cannot wait for a regular appointment with a General Practitioner.
For urgent but non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries, there are other options. If you’re unsure about what to do, you can call Healthdirect at 1 8 0 0 0 2 2 2 2 2 to speak to a registered nurse 24/7, or for child health support, call 1 3 0 0 8 8 2 4 3 2.
Medicare Urgent Care Clinics provide assessment, treatment and care for urgent but non-life-threatening conditions.
There are four Medicare Urgent Care Clinics in Tasmania, which are open 7 days a week in Launceston, Hobart (2), and Devonport. The government has also announced there will be a fifth Urgent Care Clinics opening in Bridgewater.
Situations that may be classed as urgent, may include:
- minor infections
- minor fractures, sprains, sports injuries and neck and back pain
- urinary tract infections (U.T.I.s)
- sexually transmitted infections (S.T.I.s)
- stitches and glue for minor cuts
- insect bites and rashes
- minor eye and ear problems
- respiratory illness e.g. asthma, croup and exacerbation of C.O.P.D.
- gastroenteritis
- mild burns.
Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are not an alternative to traditional General Practitioner visits. For routine and general health care needs, consult your regular General Practitioner or find an after-hours General Practitioner service. Your local pharmacy can also provide advice and treatment for minor illnesses and may offer one refill of prescription-only medication if needed urgently.
If you need immediate counselling support, information about mental health services in Tasmania, or referral to public mental health services, call Access Mental Health on 1 8 0 0 3 3 2 3 8 8 (24/7).
For more information on available care options in Tasmania, visit Know your treatment options – Right Care Right Place.
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HealthDirect
HealthDirect provides free, trusted health information and advice, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is also an online Symptom Checker which advises if you should see a doctor or care for yourself at home.
Medicare Urgent Care Clinics
Urgent Care Clinics provide medical care for illnesses or injuries that can be managed without a trip to the emergency department but cannot wait for a regular appointment with a General Practitioner.
Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are for use when there is urgency, but it’s not an emergency. They make it easier for people to see a doctor or nurse when urgent but non-life-threatening care is required.
Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are bulk-billed, meaning there is no cost to patients. Appointments are not required. Patients can walk in and wait to be seen.
Find medical help after-hours
Poisons Information Centre
If you think someone has taken an overdose, made an error with medicine or been poisoned:
- Call 1 3 1 1 2 6 at any time
- Visit the Poisons Information Centre website
Mental health support
If you need to talk to someone at any time, please call a crisis support service:
- Access Mental Health – Helpline: call 1 8 0 0 3 3 2 3 8 8 any time
- Lifeline: call 1 3 1 1 1 4 any time
- Other crisis support helplines