When to See a GP Instead of the Emergency Department

When you or your child feel unwell suddenly, the hardest part can be deciding where to go. Choosing between a GP or emergency department comes down to one question: could this be life-threatening? If it could, call 000. If it is urgent but not an emergency, Victoria has Urgent Care Clinics and phone and video services that sit between your GP and the hospital. This guide walks through the warning signs that need an ambulance, what your GP can handle, and where to turn after hours in Werribee.

When to call 000 or go to emergency

According to healthdirect’s emergency department guide, you should go to an emergency department if you or your child are seriously ill or injured. Examples include:

• chest pain or tightness
• severe pain
• any symptoms of a stroke
• problems with breathing
• uncontrollable bleeding
• loss of consciousness
• severe mental health concerns
• fever in infants

Injuries from a major accident, a fall from a great height, a serious assault and severe burns also belong in emergency. In any emergency medical situation, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.

Once you arrive, a triage nurse assesses how urgently you need treatment. Healthdirect explains that patients are placed in five categories, from category 1 (treatment within 2 minutes) to category 5 (treatment within 2 hours). That is why someone with a minor problem can wait a long time while sicker patients are seen first.

GP or emergency department: where everyday problems fit

Most health problems are not emergencies, even when they are uncomfortable or worrying. Healthdirect points people to their GP for general health checks and vaccinations, and a GP is also the right first stop for new symptoms that are not urgent, flare-ups of a known condition, and anything that needs follow-up over several visits. Your GP knows your history and can order tests, adjust medicines and refer you to a specialist.

If you are weighing up a GP or emergency department for a problem that is neither life-threatening nor getting quickly worse, start with your GP. Some common examples have their own guides:

• a child with a temperature: fever in kids
• a lingering cough: when a cough needs a GP
• a strain or sprain from sport: sports injuries
• an ongoing condition such as diabetes or asthma: condition management

Harpley Doctors is open Monday to Friday 8 am to 8 pm, Saturday and Sunday 9 am to 5 pm, and public holidays 10 am to 3 pm. The clinic is appointment based, and walk-ins are welcome. All consultations are bulk billed.

Urgent but not an emergency: Urgent Care Clinics

Some problems need attention today but do not need a hospital. The Victorian Department of Health describes Urgent Care Clinics as providing healthcare to people who need urgent care but not an emergency response. They treat infections, fevers, cuts, burns, fractures and sprains, and are staffed by urgent care doctors and nurses.

There are 38 locations across Victoria, open 7 days a week from early to late. You do not need a Medicare card, an appointment or a GP referral. The clinics are run by local health services with support from the Victorian and Commonwealth governments. To find the nearest one, use the search on the Better Health Channel.

After hours, or when you are not sure

If you cannot tell how serious something is, you can get advice by phone or video before deciding where to go:

• Nurse-On-Call on 1300 60 60 24: health advice from a registered nurse, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, as the Better Health Channel’s after-hours guide explains.
• The healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222, also available 24/7.
• The Victorian Virtual Emergency Department: a 24/7 video call with emergency doctors or nurses for adults and children, for problems such as asthma, fever, cough, vomiting, diarrhoea and injuries. No referral, Medicare card or appointment is needed.
• 13 SICK (13 7425) for after-hours home doctor care when Harpley Doctors is closed.

None of these replace 000. The Virtual Emergency Department itself says to call triple zero in a life-threatening emergency.

Mental health and emergencies

Severe mental health concerns are a reason to go to emergency. If your life or someone else’s is in danger, call 000. For crisis support at any time, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

For ongoing low mood, worry or stress, a GP is the right place to start. Our article on mental health support from your GP explains what that first appointment involves.

After an emergency visit

Healthdirect says that before you leave the emergency department, you should be aware of when to see your doctor again. Booking that follow-up with your regular GP means a doctor who knows your history checks how you are recovering. You can book online through HealthEngine or call (03) 8731 1330.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I walk in to Harpley Doctors without an appointment?

Yes. The clinic is appointment based, but walk-ins are always welcomed and accommodated during opening hours, including weekends.

Can I have a phone consultation instead of coming in?

Harpley Doctors offers phone consultations for problems that do not need an examination. They are not at a set time: the doctor calls you. Patients need at least one face-to-face consultation each year to stay eligible. A phone consultation is never the right choice for possible emergency signs; call 000.

Is a fever a reason to go to emergency?

Healthdirect lists fever in infants as a reason to go to an emergency department. Fevers in older children and adults are among the problems Urgent Care Clinics treat, and your GP can assess a fever during opening hours. Call 000 if a fever comes with breathing problems, loss of consciousness or other emergency signs.

What can I do when the clinic is closed?

Call 13 SICK (13 7425) for after-hours care, Nurse-On-Call on 1300 60 60 24 for advice, or use the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department. Call 000 in an emergency.