Our Emergency Department at Wonthaggi Hospital and Urgent Care Centre (UCC) at the Phillip Island Community Hospital in Cowes are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide urgent care to our community of Bass Coast and Gippsland
Emergency care
What we do
The Emergency Department (ED) at Wonthaggi Hospital treat patients who are experiencing Emergency or life-threatening illnesses and injuries require immediate medical attention and management.
The Urgent Care Centre (UCC) at the Phillip Island Community Hospital in Cowes treats patients for minor illnesses and injuries.
Our Emergency Department and Urgent Care Centre both operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you or someone you know has a life-threatening injury or illness, please call triple zero (000) or go to your nearest emergency department.
Where are we located?
Emergency Department, Wonthaggi Hospital, 235 Graham Street, Wonthaggi
Urgent Care Centre, Phillip Island Community Hospital, 50-56 Church Street, Cowes
How to contact us:
Emergency Department at Wonthaggi Hospital
Phone: (03) 5671 3333
Fax: (03) 5671 3342
Urgent Care Centre at the Phillip Island Community Hospital, Cowes
Phone: (03) 5951 2101
What should I bring to the Emergency Department or Urgent Care Centre?
- Your Medicare card
- Your Healthcare card, Pension Card, Department of Veterans’ Affairs card (if you have one)
- Adverse drug alert card (if you have one)
- An up-to-date list of your medications
- Any relevant test results or scans, such as x-ray films, scans, ultrasounds or any other test results you have which are related to your condition
- Any aids that you would usually use on a daily basis (e.g., glasses, hearing aid, walking frame)
- Your general practitioner (GP) name, clinic and address (if you have one)
- Your Advanced Care Directive (if you have one)
- Your Transport Accident Commission (TAC) or WorkCover claim numbers (if you have one)
If you are neurodivergent, have specific support needs, or are caring for someone who does and are attending our Emergency Department (ED) or Urgent Care Centre (UCC), you may wish to:
- Have your support person/carer with you for the duration of your visit to the Emergency Department/Urgent Care Centre
- Bring stimming devices/sensory safe tools/distraction tools
- Bring noise cancelling headphones or anything you use to dull bright lights
- Bring chargers for any electrical devices (in case you have a prolonged wait in the department)
- Think about how you would like to communicate your needs to staff, such as writing or speaking. You’re welcome to bring a notebook and pen (or request a pen and paper at reception) to write to staff.
What to expect during your visit to the Emergency Department
Your journey through the Emergency Department:
Registration and Triage
When presenting to the Emergency Department or Urgent Care Centre you will be seen by a nurse who will ask for your symptoms and perform routine checks.
Based upon this initial consultation, the nurse will place you in a triage category.
Triage Categories
Category 1 - Resuscitation (the patient is unconscious or barely breathing)
Category 2 - Emergency (very severe pain, severe breathing difficulties)
Category 3 - Urgent (dehydration, moderately severe blood loss)
Category 4 - Semi-urgent (mild bleeding, sprained ankle)
Category 5 - Non-urgent (rashes, minor illnesses or symptoms).
You or your carer will then be required to give your name and date of birth to the nurse and either asked to be seated in the waiting room or admitted, depending on your category.
The amount of time you may wait in the Emergency Department or Urgent Care Centre depends on your triage category.
Please remember that more severe cases will be seen as a priority so if you have been triaged as a Category 4 or 5 severity, you may have to wait longer than the allocated time given to that category.
Weekends, and in particular holiday seasons, can also place added pressure on the Emergency Department and Urgent Care Centre, as an influx of holidaymakers in the region can result in longer waiting times.
If you need to use the toilet or step outside the waiting room, please inform the administration clerk or nurse. It is important you do not leave the Emergency Department or Urgent Care Centre without informing a staff member.
When you are admitted to the Emergency Department or Urgent Care Centre, you will be initially seen by a senior nurse and then a doctor. At all times you should be aware of the type of treatment taking place. If you are unsure about tests, treatment or the process, please ask a member of staff.
Your test results or diagnosis may require you to be admitted into a ward at Wonthaggi Hospital or possibly transferred to another health service. Alternatively, the doctor may believe an admission is not required and you will be discharged home after observation.
At all times staff will communicate with you throughout the process to ensure you are involved in your care planning.
When you leave the Emergency Department or Urgent Care Centre:
- Collect all your personal belongings including x-rays, medications and medical documentation
- Ask for a medical certificate if you need one
- A member of your treatment team may give you a letter explaining your situation to help your doctor continue your care. Please keep it in a safe place
- You may be instructed to follow-up care with your local doctor
Alternatives to Emergency Department care
The Emergency Department is best for serious and life-threatening conditions.
Please use our emergency services carefully so we can continue to provide the best care to those that need it most.
If your situation is not a medical emergency, alternative options can be considered.
Bayside Health Regional has an Urgent Care Centre at the Phillip Island Community Hospital at Cowes.
Phone: (03) 5951 2101
Where: Phillip Island Community Hospital, 50-56 Church Street, Cowes.
Urgent care is best when you need medical attention for an illness or injury that can be managed without a trip to the emergency department but cannot wait for a regular appointment with a local doctor or general practitioner (GP).
All patients are seen in order of triage priority.
We encourage you to arrange follow-up care with your General Practitioner (GP).
Urgent care is when you need medical attention for an illness or injury that can be managed without a trip to the emergency department but cannot wait for a regular appointment with a local doctor or general practitioner (GP).
The Urgent Care Centre can provide acute episodic care and treatment that does not require a hospital admission. This may include:
- Minor infections
- Minor fractures, sprains, sports injuries and neck and back pain
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Minor cuts
- Insect bites and rashes
- Minor eye and ear problems
- Respiratory illness
- Gastroenteritis
- Mild burns
Further information on when to visit an Urgent Care Centre can be found here.
Click here to find your nearest Urgent Care Centre.
Urgent care is when you need medical attention for an illness or injury that can be managed without a trip to the emergency department but cannot wait for a regular appointment with a general practitioner (GP).
Emergency or life-threatening illnesses and injuries require immediate medical attention and management by an emergency department or hospital.
Click here for further information about the difference between routine, urgent and emergency care.
The Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED) is a public health service to treat non-life-threatening emergencies.
The VVED is a free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week service that connects you to an emergency doctor or nurse from your computer, laptop or mobile phone, wherever you are.
Interpreter services are available for patients who prefer to speak in their own language.
Step by step on how to access the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department:
- Make sure you have access to a device with a camera (mobile phone, computer, laptop or tablet)
- Access the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department website
- Click the 'Register now' link
- Complete the registration form
A link to the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department waiting room will be sent to you via SMS and email:
- Click on link to open HealthDirect
- Click 'Start Video Call' to enter the waiting room
- Enter your details and click 'Continue'
- Wait for one of the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department team to pick up your call
For more information or if you experience any issues with the registration form, please contact VVED
Phone: (03) 9485 9070
Email: vved@nh.org.au
Website: www.vved.org.au
Nurse on Call is a Victorian phone service providing immediate, expert advice from a Registered Nurse 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
This service is best for the following situations:
- You or someone you care for is feeling unwell
- You are not sure if you should seek medical help
- You are physically a long way away from medical help
- You need advice about health services in your local area
Phone: 1300 60 60 24
To find a GP (General Practitioner or Doctor) near you, click here.
For over the phone or online consultation (costs may apply), go to Online Telehealth Consultations & Services | Healthengine.
For after-hours support (cost may apply):
After-hours healthcare options - Better Health Channel
Book After Hours GP Appointments in Australia
Australia's First Online Emergency Doctor Service | My Emergency Doctor.
In the case of a poisoning incident, the Victorian Poisons Information Centre can advise you what first aid is required, whether it is necessary to call an ambulance, to go to the doctor or whether nothing needs to be done.
The service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Phone: 131 126
How long will I have to wait?
Bass Coast Health will always see the most seriously sick or injured first, not in order of arrival.
The Emergency Department and Urgent Care Centre can experience busy periods, such as on weekends and holiday seasons. Our wait times may vary and difficult to predict. We appreciate your patience during these times.
Do I need a referral?
You do not need a referral letter from your doctor to access this service.
Will I have to pay for services?
The Emergency Department at Wonthaggi Hospital and Urgent Care Centre at Phillip Island Community Hospital are part of Australia's publicly funded healthcare system and offers hospital care to any Australian resident under Medicare arrangements.
Please note, fees do apply to aids and equipment if provided on discharge from the Emergency Department or Urgent Care Centre.
- Refer to Charges for Primary Healthcare Services and Overseas Visitors.
- Ambulance transport (if required) is not funded by the Urgent Care Centre.
- Transport fees are your responsibility. We encourage you to check your ambulance cover.