Alternative options to the Emergency Department

During periods of high demand in our Emergency Departments, it is important that our community continue to receive the care they need.

The emergency department is for emergencies. People with non-urgent, non-life-threatening conditions should expect long waits.

There is a range of alternative care providers in our local area.

Find out more about the Emergency Department.

Access the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department

The Victorian Virtual Emergency Department is a public health service for treating non-life-threatening emergencies, from your home or anywhere in Victoria. It provides video consultations 24hrs a day, seven days a week.

Victorian Virtual Emergency Department

Visit your doctor or after-hours clinic

Some medical conditions can be assessed, diagnosed and managed by your General Practitioner (GP).

There are many after-hours GP clinics (including the Healesville GP Clinic) if you are unable to see your usual doctor.

My Emergency Dr provides free telehealth consultations. (Available via their website, the Apple App Store and Google Play Store)

13SICK, National Home Doctor provides bulk bulled after-hours doctors that will visit you in your home.

There are also after-hours specialists including dentists and optometrists available for urgent care.

If your doctor or specialist practitioner believes your condition needs emergency care, they can refer you to an ED if necessary.

Find a GP or after-hours clinic in your area.

Go to a pharmacy

Pharmacists and chemists, including after-hours pharmacies, may be able to help diagnose or triage symptoms and refer patients to appropriate medical care professionals.

They can also provide advice on medications, wound care, vaccinations, self-care and lifestyle assessments, medical certificates and advice about children and babies.

You can search for your local pharmacy at findapharmacy.com.au or search the H ealthdirect S ervice F inder to locate pharmacies with extended opening hours near you.

Priority Primary Care Centres

Priority Primary Care Centres (PPCC) provide care for urgent but non-life-threatening conditions such as mild infections, fractures and burns, and offers on-site pathology and imaging services.

If you attend one of our Emergency Departments with urgent but non-life-threatening conditions, you may be referred to a PPCC for your care.

Maroondah Priority Primary Care Centre

Bookings: 03 9344 6888 or online

Address: Shop 28, Mountain High Shopping Centre, 7-13 High St, Bayswater

Find out more or make a booking.

Forest Hill Priority Primary Care Centre

Open from 10 am to 8 pm, seven days a week.

Bookings: 03 8804 1940 or online

Address: Forest Hill Medical and Dental Centre, 490/524 Springvale Road, Forest Hill

Find out more or make a booking.

Heidelberg Priority Primary Care Centre

Open from 10 am to 10 pm, Monday to Friday, Saturday: 10 am - 7pm and Sunday: 4 pm - 12 am

Bookings: 03 9000 9276 or online

Address: 455 Upper Heidelberg Rd, Heidelberg Heights

Find out more or make a booking.

Call a telephone helpline

Many telephone helplines are available for non-urgent medical advice or mental health crisis support. These are generally free or provided at the cost of a local call (some charges may apply to mobile users).

Health lines

1300 MEDICINE: 1300 633 424 (for information on prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines)

The Coronavirus Helpline: 1800 020 080

Healthdirect: 1800 022 222 (for free medical advice and reassurance 24 hours a day, seven days a week)

NURSE-ON-CALL: 1300 60 60 24

Pregnancy, Birth and Baby: 1800 882 436 (for general advice and support about pregnancy, childbirth and parenting up to five years)

Victorian Poisons Information Centre: 131 126

Mental health lines

Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 (24-hour support and counselling service)

Blue Knot Foundation Helpline: 1300 657 380 (for adult survivors of trauma and abuse)

Butterfly Foundation: 1800 33 4673 (for those with eating disorders and body image issues)

Counselling Online: 1800 888 236 (24/7 online support and referral for anyone affected by alcohol and other drugs.)

Directline: 1800 888 236 (24/7 telephone counselling and referral to services for people affected by addiction.)

eheadspace: 1800 650 890 (for young people aged 12 – 25 years)

Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800 (for young people 5 – 25 years)

Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24-hour crisis support)

MensLine Australia: 1300 78 99 78 (for men of any age)

MindSpot: 1800 61 44 34 (for people with stress, worry, anxiety, low mood or depression)

Open Arms: 1800 011 046 (for veteran and families counselling)

PANDA: 1300 726 306 (for those suffering from perinatal anxiety and depression)

QLife: 1800 184 527 (to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people of all ages)

SANE Australia: 1800 18 7263 (support and training for those with a mental illness)

Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 (24-hour support if you or someone you know is feeling suicidal)

Suicide Help Line: 1300 651 251

COVID-19 resources

Services