Emergency Department
The Emergency Department (ED) is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are one of the busiest EDs in south-east Queensland, treating more than 60,000 patients, including 13,500 children, each year.
Our services
We provide emergency medical services to children and adults needing urgent care for all illnesses and injuries, including:
- heart conditions
- care of the elderly including hip fractures
- general medical and surgical conditions
- breathing problems
- poisonings
- decreased conscious level (e.g. coma).
If a patient needs a specialist service that we don’t offer at Redcliffe Hospital, then we will arrange safe transfer to another hospital.
We are able to provide initial care for children, including infants, however it may be necessary to transport them to the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital for specialist expertise that is not available at Redcliffe Hospital.
Getting here
We have a drop-off and pick-up zone at the front of the Emergency Department with a maximum time limit of 5 minutes. View more information about parking and transport.
How to access this service
You can directly access this service.
What to bring
- Your Medicare card
- Private health insurance card (if you have one)
- Health Care Card and/or concession card (if you have one)
- Current medications (prescription, over the counter and herbal medicine)
- Relevant x-rays, scans or any other test results or reports
- Glasses, hearing and mobility aids
For children, please also bring:
- Your Medicare card with your child’s details
- Your baby’s Red Book (Personal Child Health Record)
- Discharge information from previous admissions
- GP referral letter (if applicable)
- Spare clothes for yourself and your child
- Smart device or an activity to keep your child entertained
- A dressing gown or cardigan, sleepwear or comfortable day clothes
- Slippers and shoes (low heel, closed-in, non-slip, adjustable and firm fitting around the foot)
- Your toiletries and personal items
- Copy of Advanced Healthcare Directive or Enduring Power of Attorney if you have one
- Something to read or do during your stay
- Medical devices required for your care (e.g. CPAP machine)
- Do not bring large amounts of cash or valuables such as jewellery, watches or other items of value to you
For children, please also bring:
- Your child’s pyjamas, socks or comfortable day clothes and shoes
- Toiletries (nappies, toothpaste, toothbrush)
- A comfort item like a toy or blanket
- Books or favourite activity
- Your clothes and toiletries if you are staying overnight with your child
- Your slippers and shoes (low heel, closed-in, non-slip, adjustable and firm fitting around the foot)
- Something to read or do during your child’s stay
- Medical devices required for your child’s care (e.g. CPAP machine)
When you arrive
On arrival, an experienced emergency nurse will assess you or your child. Following this, you will be seen in order of priority. We try our best to see every patient within a timely manner. Some patients who are more unwell may be seen ahead of you and this may result in an unpredictable waiting period. We ask that you be patient while we deliver the best possible care to all our patients. If you or your child’s condition worsens, or if you have any concerns, please alert the nurse.
If possible, please update your contact and GP details on arrival as these may have changed since your last visit.
Are you visiting from overseas?
If you are visiting from another country and require medical attention your may be billed for the cost of treatment.
Private health insurance
If you have private health insurance cover and would like to use it, you can choose to be treated as a private patient.
Appropriate behaviour
The safety of our staff and patients is top priority. In accordance with Queensland Health policy, we do not tolerate any form of aggressive or abusive behaviour, even verbal.
Any audio or visual recording without permission is strictly prohibited. This protects the privacy of our patients.
Discharge and follow-up care
Before discharge, you will be given a GP letter detailing your medical condition and appropriate follow-up plan. You may also be given a prescription for medication or a referral letter to another specialist.
Frequently asked questions
If you or your child does not need urgent care, visiting your local doctor or an after-hours medical centre may be an option. This may mean a shorter waiting period and allows you to see the same doctor for better continuity of care.
There are also phone and web services available:
- 13 HEALTH is a Queensland Health hotline for advice on healthcare matters 24 hours a day.
- Queensland Poisons Information Centre for advice on poisoning incidents 24 hours a day. Phone: 13 11 26
- Lifeline is a confidential crisis support service operating 24 hours a day. Phone: 13 11 14 (calls from mobiles are free)
- 1300 MH CALL (1300 64 22 55) for mental health assistance
Go to www.nhsd.com.au, type in your post code or suburb, and Click on “Open Now” tab to find the services open now in your area. You will need to call if they have any appointments available before visiting them.
Contact us
Emergency Department
Location: Ground floor, Redcliffe Hospital
Open: 24/7
Need help outside hours?
For non-urgent medical issues call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) or visit your GP.
For mental health concerns call 1300 MH Call (1300 64 22 55).
In an emergency call 000.
Refer a patient
GPs and specialists in the community and in other hospitals can refer a patient by calling the emergency physician “on the floor” via hospital switchboard number on (07) 3883 7777.
Health professionals
Our services
- a 5 bed resuscitation area
- 19 acute area beds
- 1 Isolation bed for serious infectious illnesses
- an observation area for adults
- heart monitoring
- 24-hour radiology department – x-rays, CT scan and ultrasound
- minor injuries
- ambulatory care
Our staff
- doctors
- nurses
- operational officers
- admin support
- social work support
- physiotherapy support
- pharmacy support