Emergency Department

On average, the Emergency Department at University Hospital Geelong treats more than 200 people on any weekday, and even more people on weekends and during holiday periods.

The dashboard below provides real-time information about how busy the Emergency Department is. This information is also displayed in the Emergency Department waiting room.

Rotate your mobile device for a better viewing experience. Please refer to the last update date and time.  

NORMAL	Even during normal activity staff are often busy and waiting times around an hour can be expected.
VERY BUSY	As we get busier, the number of people in the waiting room increases and the time you may need to wait for treatment gets longer.
EXTREMELY BUSY	When we are extremely busy, the waiting room often gets crowded and some people may need to wait more than four hours.

What is triage?

When you present to the Emergency Department you will be seen by a triage nurse. Triage nurses are specially trained and highly-skilled to make the first assessment of patients arriving to emergency. The triage nurse will perform your initial consultation, ask for your symptoms and perform routine checks to determine your triage category. Triage categories are used by staff to identify the sickest and most urgent patients.

How long will I wait?

The sickest patients are always seen first and people with common illnesses and less urgent conditions may be asked to be seated in the waiting room. If the Emergency Department is experiencing normal activity and your condition is less urgent, you may have to wait around an hour. If the department is extremely busy you may wait more than four hours. The number of patients in the waiting room is not an indication of how busy the department is.

Going home

If you are discharged from the Emergency Department, please collect your belongings, including X-rays, medications and any medical documents. Please ask a staff member if you require a medical certificate. Do not leave the Emergency Department without informing a staff member.

Other local health services

Private Hospital Emergency Departments in Geelong

Name	Cost	Hours	Contact
St John of God Geelong Hospital Emergency Department	An out-of-pocket fee applies to most visits.	7.00am – 10.00pm, 7 days.	80 Myers Street, Geelong Ph 5226 8811
Epworth Geelong Emergency Department	An out-of-pocket fee applies to most visits.	24 hours, 7 days.	1 Epworth Place, Waurn Ponds Ph 5271 7000

Urgent Care Centres

Name	Cost	Hours	Contact
Barwon Health North Urgent Care Centre	Bulk-billed for eligible Medicare card holders.	10am-9pm, 7 days	155 Princes Highway, Norlane
Geelong Priority Primary Care Centre	Bulk billing applies. No charge for non-Medicare card holders.	7.30am-9pm, 7 days, including public holidays Christmas Day – 2pm – 9pm Appointments not required	75 Roslyn Street, Belmont 3216 Ph 4206 7366
Colac Area Health Urgent Care  Centre	Bulk-billed for eligible Medicare card holders.	24 hours, 7 days.	2-28 Connor Street, Colac Ph 5232 5100
Great Ocean Road Urgent Care	Bulk-billed for eligible Medicare card holders.	24 hours, 7 days.	Albert Street, Lorne Ph 5289 4300

After hours GP

Name	Cost	Hours	Contact
Myers Street Family Medical Practice	Out of pocket costs may apply to see a GP. Please check with practice.	8am – 8pm, 7 days Please call practice on day or check Hot Doc to book appointments after 6pm weekdays and on weekends	148 Myers St Geelong 3220 Ph 5229 5192

Home Doctor Service

Name	Cost	Hours	Contact
13SICK National Home Doctor	Bulk-billed for eligible Medicare card holders.	Booking lines are open from 6pm weekdays, 12 noon Saturday, all day Sunday and public holidays.	13SICK (137 425)

General Practitioners / Medical Centres

Health Direct: healthdirect.gov.au/australian-health-services

Helplines

GP After-Hours Helpline

Victorians can now call the national after hours GP helpline directly for reassurance and practical medical advice. The helpline is free to callers from landlines within Australia and operates Monday to Saturday 6pm to 8am, and from 12noon Saturday to 8am Monday and on all public holidays.

Ph: 1800 022 222              www.healthdirect.gov.au/after-hours-gp-helpline

Nurse On Call

Nurse On Call is a phone service that provides immediate, expert health advice from a registered nurse, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Ph: 1300 606 024              www.health.vic.gov.au/primary-care/nurse-on-call