Not sure what to do after hours and you can’t wait until we re-open?
Use this guide to decide whether to call 000, go to an Emergency Department or a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, call 1800MEDICARE, or use our after-hours phone service.
after hours emergencies
For any life-threatening emergency, you should call 000, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
You may need to go to ED for these severe or urgent conditions:
severe pain
problems with breathing or bleeding
loss of consciousness or unexplained fitting
severe mental health concern
If you’re injured from an accident or other incident, you may also need to go to an ED. Some examples include:
broken bones
severe burns
If you are pregnant and experience an emergency, you can go to ED or call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance. If your concern is less urgent, contact your usual doctor, midwife, or maternity unit.
The nearest emergency departments to our clinic are:
The Alfred - 55 Commercial Rd, Melbourne VIC 3004 (public hospital - 6.6km)
Holmesglen Private Hospital - 490 South Rd, Moorabbin VIC 3189 (private hospital - fees apply - 6.5km)
Cabrini Malvern - 181/183 Wattletree Rd, Malvern VIC 3144 (private hospital - fees apply - 6.7km)
Sandringham Hospital - 193 Bluff Rd, Sandringham VIC 3191 (public hospital - 8km)
Monash Medical Centre, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton VIC 3168 (public hospital - 11.6km)
Patients with urgent but non-life-threatening symptoms can register for the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department. You can connect to the VVED from anywhere in Victoria.
If you are eligible, you will be connected virtually to emergency doctors and nurses who will provide medical advice, from the comfort of your own home or workplace, rather than waiting in a physical ED at a hospital. As your consultation will be via video, you will need a device with a camera to use this service.
MEDICARE URGENT Care CLINICS
The Victorian Government has set up more than 35 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics across Victoria, which partner with nearby hospital emergency departments.
They provide free care for people with conditions that require urgent attention but not an emergency response. This includes:
mild to moderate infections
fever
pain when urinating
suspected minor fractures and sprains
back and muscle pain
minor cuts, burns, and insect or animal bites
heartburn, vomiting, nausea
headaches, migraines and brief fainting
constipation, diarrhoea, abdominal pain
allergies and rashes
light bleeding in the first trimester of pregnancy
mild to moderate asthma attacks, coughs and other respiratory symptoms.**
They also offer pathology and imaging services.
The centres help Victorians who need urgent care get help faster, while keeping our busy emergency departments free for those in critical, life-threatening situations.
They operate accept walk-ups.
Free care is provided even if you do not have a Medicare card.
The nearest Medicare Urgent Care Care Centres to our clinic are:
Prahran Medicare Urgent Care Centre, within The Alfred Hospital at 55 Commercial Rd, Melbourne 3004. It is open 8am to 10pm, 7 days week. Call (03) 9119 1055
Sandringham Medicare Urgent Care Centre, within Sandringham Hospital at 193 Bluff Rd, Sandringham VIC 3191. It is open 8am to 10pm, 7 days week. Call (03) 9119 1085
Carnegie Medicare Urgent Care Centre, 2 Koornang Rd, Carnegie VIC 3163. It is open 8am to 10pm, 7 days week. Bookings via phone (03) 9069 7522 or online
*Call Triple Zero (000) or visit your nearest emergency department if you or someone you know is experiencing an immediate life-threatening emergency.
1800medicare
1800MEDICARE is a free, 24/7 national health advice line you can reach by calling 1800 633 422 to speak with a registered nurse about non-emergency health concerns.
The nurse will ask about your symptoms and guide you to the right care, whether that’s looking after yourself at home or getting help from a health service in your area.
If you call in the after-hours period, and the nurse recommends seeing a GP, they may arrange for a 1800MEDICARE GP telehealth consultation.
This service is available between 6pm and 8am Monday to Friday, and all weekend.
You can also access key health information, electronic prescriptions and more through the 1800MEDICARE app.
after hours phone services
If you are an existing patient of the clinic and you need medical care which is not an emergency but cannot wait until we re-open, you can call our normal phone number 03 8506 9949 and connect to North Brighton Medical’s after hours service.
Note that this is a private service for all patients (including patients we normally bulk bill), with an out-of-pocket fee of $300.
If you agree to the fee, you will be able to speak to a GP of the clinic for a telephone consultation. If necessary, the GP may get you to come to the clinic for a face-to-face consult or come to you for a home visit.
You will have the alternative option of having a bulk billed telephone consultation with the Hello Home Doctor Service, and they may also be able to arrange a bulk billed home visit. They will send us a report of your visit the next day, so we are kept up-to-date.
You can also book online directly with Hello Home Doctor Service.
