After-hours medical care on the Sunshine Coast

Work out how quickly you need help

Call 000 and ask for an ambulance if someone has severe chest pain or chest pain that has lasted 10 minutes, cannot breathe properly, or shows signs of a stroke. Do not wait to see whether stroke symptoms pass.

Where a problem needs attention soon but is not life-threatening, phone a nurse or look for an urgent care clinic. Medicare Urgent Care Clinics treat problems such as minor infections and mild burns. Ongoing or minor concerns can usually wait for a GP appointment, and a nurse can help if you cannot tell.

Local and official services

Country to Coast QLD runs the Primary Health Network covering Central Queensland, Wide Bay and the Sunshine Coast. Its region starts around the Glasshouse Mountains and includes the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. It supports health services rather than treating patients, so it cannot help you in the moment, but its website carries regional information.

For help now, Queenslanders can phone 13 HEALTH and speak to a registered nurse at any time of day or night.

• The healthdirect Service Finder can show GPs and open-late pharmacies close to you.
• The Department of Health's map shows Medicare Urgent Care Clinics. Hours differ, so check first.
• A hospital emergency department is the right place for serious illness and injury.

Living in the hinterland

If you are some distance from the coast, check travel time before setting out and confirm the service is open. If you feel too unwell to travel safely, or your condition gets worse, call 000. Do not rely on a home visit being available. Healthdirect says some services offer visits or telehealth, but most charge a fee and availability varies.