After-hours medical care in Mackay

When to call 000

Ask for an ambulance on 000 for chest pain that is severe, getting worse or has lasted 10 minutes, for severe breathing difficulty, and for signs of a stroke. Healthdirect advises calling for stroke symptoms even if they go away and you feel better.

When it is urgent but not an emergency

Conditions such as minor infections, gastroenteritis and mild burns may be treated at a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic. Northern Queensland PHN, the Primary Health Network for the region, lists Medicare Urgent Care Clinics in its area, including one in Mackay. The Department of Health says these clinics do not need an appointment or referral and are bulk billed, and advises checking hours before you go.

A registered nurse on 13 HEALTH can also tell you what level of care your symptoms need, at any hour, for the cost of a local call.

Other ways to find help

Northern Queensland PHN has also supported after-hours general practice in the Mackay region. Arrangements of this kind can change, so check its website rather than relying on older information.

• The healthdirect Service Finder lists open GPs and pharmacies near you.
• A hospital emergency department is the place for serious problems. If you cannot travel safely, call 000.
• Your usual GP's voicemail may give after-hours instructions, so it can be worth listening to the message.

When it can wait

Repeat prescriptions, referrals and long-term conditions that have not changed can usually wait until your GP reopens. If symptoms change or worsen overnight, do not wait: call 13 HEALTH, or call 000 if it becomes an emergency. Healthdirect says some services offer home visits or telehealth, generally for a fee, but this guide cannot confirm that any of them cover Mackay.