Patients

What to expect
Attending the Emergency Department when you are sick or hurt can be a stressful experience, understanding what will happen may make this easier. The NSW Dept Health has provided information as to what to expect.

www.health.nsw.gov.au/hospitalinfo/emergency.html

Triage
It is important to remember we try to see everyone as quickly as possible. The Triage system allows us to sort out who needs to be seen first, based on the severity of their illness, not on order of arrival.

Treatment
Most people who are seen in the Emergency Department can be treated and sent home, some will require ongoing treatment with their GP or Specialist.
The treatment is initialised by the Emergency Department Doctors and Nurses and is supervised by Staff Specialist Emergency Physicians.

Admissions
This is when you are kept in the hospital for ongoing tests or treatment. The Specialist you are admitted under and their team provide your ongoing care.

Discharge
If you are sent home from the Emergency Department your doctor should explain your treatment plan and provide a letter for your GP and any scripts required.

Followup
It is important to see your GP within 48hrs of leaving the Emergency Department so they are aware of the current problem and treatment. They may also need to check reports of tests done while in the Emergency Department and/or arrange further tests.
If you have been referred to a specialist it is important to make the appointment. We refer people to specialists when we feel their condition can be improved by specialist investigation or treatment.

Children

Paediatric services
The Emergency Department sees children as well as adults. The Emergency Department Doctors and Nurses make the initial assessment and treatment plans. We have a Staff Specialist Paediatrician working in the Department who supervises the care of children in the department.