Everyday care
When the clinic is closed: after-hours care in Port Stephens
Illness does not keep office hours. Knowing your options before you need them makes a stressful night simpler, and it keeps the emergency department free for the emergencies.
The short version
- In an emergency, call 000. Do not wait to see if it settles.
- Tomaree Community Hospital on Trevally Street, Nelson Bay, is on (02) 4984 0700.
- Healthdirect gives advice from a registered nurse at any hour on 1800 022 222.
- Salamander Bay Doctors is open seven days, so many things can be seen the next morning.
Salamander Bay Doctors is open 8:00am to 5:30pm on weekdays and 8:30am to 2:30pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Outside those hours, this is where to turn.
Call 000 for an emergency
Call 000 straight away for chest pain or pressure, difficulty breathing, signs of a stroke (face drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech), severe bleeding, a seizure, a serious injury, or anyone who is hard to wake. Do not drive yourself.
Tomaree Community Hospital
Tomaree Community Hospital on Trevally Street, Nelson Bay, is the nearest hospital for the Tomaree Peninsula, on (02) 4984 0700. If you are unsure whether to go, Healthdirect can help you decide.
Healthdirect: 1800 022 222
Healthdirect is a free line staffed by registered nurses, around the clock. They can tell you whether something needs the emergency department tonight, a GP tomorrow, or care at home in the meantime.
Your pharmacist
For minor problems, a pharmacist can often advise on the spot. They can also tell you when something needs a doctor.
What can usually wait for the morning
A cold, a mild rash, a medicine you are about to run out of, or a form or certificate can all wait for an appointment. Same-day appointments are released when the phones open, at 8:30am on weekdays and 9:00am on weekends, and cancellations appear on HotDoc through the day.
This article is general information. If you are worried about a symptom, book an appointment. In an emergency, call 000.
Questions we get asked
Is there an after-hours GP at Salamander Bay Doctors?
The clinic is open seven days during the hours above. Outside them, call 000 in an emergency, or Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for advice.
Can I book online at night?
Yes. HotDoc takes bookings at any hour, including for the next morning.
Should I go to hospital or wait?
If it could be an emergency, call 000. If you are unsure, ring Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 and a registered nurse will help you decide.
General information only. This article is general health information for people in the Port Stephens area. It is not advice about your individual situation and it does not replace a consultation with a doctor. If you are worried about a symptom, book an appointment or call us on (02) 4008 4400. In an emergency, call 000.
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