Emergencies

If you have a life-threatening medical condition, call 000 and request an ambulance.

If you have an urgent medical condition you can come to our Emergency Department (ED) at Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital.

The ED is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year and is located in G Block, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Hospital Ave, Nedlands, WA (external site).

If you have an urgent but non-life-threatening injury or illness, an after hours GP or Urgent Care Clinic may be able to provide the care you need. Find a GP Urgent Care Clinic (external site).

Please be aware that patients are seen in order of illness severity, and not in order of attendance even if you arrive by an ambulance. If another patient comes to ED with a more serious condition, you will need to wait. We thank you for your patience and understanding.

Not all urgencies are emergencies

There are a number of things you can do if you have an urgent non-life threatening medical condition:

What to bring

If you are coming into our ED, if possible, please bring with you:

  • your Medicare Card
  • any other entitlement cards (health care, pension, veterans, safety net)
  • your passport/health insurance details (overseas visitors/students)
  • private health insurance details (if you want to be admitted as a private patient)
  • a list of your current medications including over the counter medications
  • any x-rays/ultrasounds/scans that may be related to your condition
  • your employment contact details if your condition is covered by Workers’ Compensation
  • the name of your General Practitioner (GP).

When you arrive

See the triage nurse first. They will ask questions and assess your condition to determine your level of priority:

  1. Immediate (life threatening)
  2. Very urgent
  3. Urgent
  4. Standard
  5. Non-urgent

Some patients need to be taken straight into the department. Others will be directed to the waiting room.

While you are waiting, please inform the triage nurse if:

  • your condition worsens
  • you decide to seek treatment elsewhere.

What happens next?

Once you are inside the ED, you will undergo a thorough assessment by a team of nursing and medical staff.

Tests and procedures will be carried out when necessary. The team will review your test results and provide emergency treatment, and will then decide to either:

  • advise you to return home with a referral if necessary for further care (such as a follow-up appointment with your local doctor or an outpatient appointment)
  • monitor your condition for a few hours before making a decision
  • admit you to the hospital for further care.

Sometimes patients must wait for test results or for a ward bed to become available. This may cause unavoidable delays in the ED. Our staff will continue to care for you until you are able to go to a ward or be discharged home.

Aishwarya’s CARE Call

Aishwarya’s CARE Call is a three-step process for you as a patient, carer or family member to use if you are worried you or the person you care for is getting sicker while in hospital.

Read what to do if you are worried you or the person you care for is getting sicker while in hospital.

Your Emergency Department Journey

See metropolitan emergency department wait times

WA Health's emergency department activity page (external site) provides an up-to-date view of the status of the emergency departments in each of the metropolitan public hospitals.

This site provides current information on the average wait times and the number of patients waiting to be seen.

Overseas patient fees

In Australia, overseas visitors, overseas students and patients who are not eligible for Medicare under their current VISA arrangements are required to pay for the cost of their health care. More information about overseas patient fees.

Please contact the Overseas Liaison Officer on (08) 6457 1809 or email NMHS.OPLO@health.wa.gov.au to obtain information regarding fees for your appointment.

Tertiary hospital - what that means to you

Education is a key mission of Sir Charles Gairdner Osborne Park Health Care Group (SCGOPHCG), as we know continual learning at all levels is key to improving patient care.

You will come across learners in all fields, from students through to senior practitioners and all are bound by rules of ethical behaviour and confidentiality. If you do not wish a learner to be involved you can say no as we recognise you may be unwell or stressed, however most patients learn more about their condition when learners are involved in their care.

If you have any concerns about any interaction, please contact us via email: SCGOPHCG.MedEd@health.wa.gov.au.

Find out more information for patients and visitors.

Last Updated: 13/11/2025