Most of the time, the hard part of being sick is not knowing how worried to be. This guide sorts the common situations into three places to go, so you get the right care without sitting in an emergency unit for something a GP could have handled, or waiting on something that cannot wait.
Go to an emergency unit or call 112 now
Do not book an appointment, and do not wait for a call back, if anyone has any of these:
- Chest pain, pressure or tightness, especially if it spreads to the arm, neck or jaw
- Trouble breathing, or lips and fingertips turning blue
- Signs of a stroke: face drooping on one side, weakness in an arm, or slurred speech
- Heavy bleeding that does not stop with firm pressure
- A seizure, sudden confusion, or fainting that came on suddenly
- Sudden, severe pain anywhere
- A baby under three months with a temperature of 38°C or more
- A serious injury, a suspected broken bone with the skin broken, or a head injury followed by vomiting or drowsiness
From a cellphone, 112 connects you to emergency services. The public ambulance number is 10177. If you can get there safely and quickly, going straight to the nearest hospital emergency unit is often faster.
Phone the on-call doctor tonight
Some things feel urgent but are not emergencies. A child with a fever who is still drinking and playing between doses of paracetamol, an earache that started this evening, vomiting and diarrhoea without signs of dehydration, or a question about medicine you started today. Our on-call doctor answers the phone on weekday evenings until 21:00 and during the day on weekends and public holidays. They will tell you whether it can wait for the morning or whether you should be seen tonight.
Book a GP appointment
Most illness belongs here: coughs and colds that are not getting better after a week, rashes, aches and pains, urine infections, a check-up, results, or a repeat script. We keep same-day times open every weekday. If it has been going on for a while and you have a few things to talk about, book a long consultation so you are not rushed.
Just a question?
Send us a WhatsApp during opening hours. A nurse or doctor replies, usually within two hours, and books you in if they think you should be seen.
If you are not sure
Trust your instinct, especially with children and older relatives. If someone looks very unwell to you, that is reason enough to be seen today. Our where-to-go tool on the home page asks three quick questions and points you to the right place, using the current time to tell you whether we are open.
Need to see someone?
Book online, or call 021 448 1630. For anything life-threatening, call 112.
This guide is general information, not medical advice for your situation. Please speak to a doctor about your own health.