Services

Barwon Health North's Urgent Care Centre is a walk-in service for people with minor illnesses and injuries who require immediate attention.

The Urgent Care Centre is staffed by highly-skilled nurse practitioners, registered nurses, medical imaging staff and patient services assistants (PSAs).

Nurse practitioners can examine, diagnose illnesses/injuries, treat wounds including sutures, plaster, prescribe medication/treatment and make referrals. 

Nurse practitioners have a direct video link to doctors at University Hospital Geelong's Emergency Department and can request ambulance transfers for people who require emergency or specialist treatment. 

Waiting times in the Urgent Care Centre will be longer when the service is busy and people will be seen in order of the most sick or injured. 

Urgent Care can treat people aged six months and older. Children below six months of age cannot be treated at Urgent Care.

When can I attend the Urgent Care Centre?

When it’s urgent, but not an emergency, go to Barwon Health North’s Urgent Care Centre between 10am-9pm, seven days a week.

For illnesses and injuries that are not urgent, make an appointment with a GP.

Barwon Health North’s Urgent Care Centre can treat minor illnesses and injuries in people aged six months and older, such as:

• Possible sprains or broken bones
• Minor cuts that need stitches or glue
• Sports injuries
• Minor eye and ear problems
• Minor burns and scalds
• Minor illnesses including fever, infections and rashes
• Insect and animal bites

DO NOT ATTEND URGENT CARE IF A GP HAS TOLD YOU TO GO TO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.

Attend the Emergency Department at University Hospital Geelong or call 000 for:

• ALL EMERGENCIES
• Heart attack/chest pains
• Difficulty breathing
• Collapse/seizure/stroke
• Serious bleeding
• Serious head or neck injury
• Car accidents
• Severe stomach pain
• Severe burns
• Bleeding in pregnancy
• Serious mental health problems
• Poisoning or serious allergic reactions

If you are unsure what the right treatment is for your medical condition, contact one of the following services:

• Nurse-On-Call - 1300 606 024
• GP After Hours Helpline - 1800 022 222 

In an emergency or life-threatening situation, call 000.

What to expect

Cost

There are no out-of-pocket expenses for Medicare-eligible patients to attend the Urgent Care Centre.

Fees may apply if an ambulance transfer is required from Barwon Health North to University Hospital Geelong. Learn more: www.ambulance.vic.gov.au