Is it an emergency?
Call triple zero (000) straight away, or go to your nearest emergency department, if someone has:
- chest pain or pressure, or sudden shortness of breath
- signs of stroke, such as face drooping, arm weakness or slurred speech
- severe bleeding, a serious injury or a suspected broken bone
- a severe allergic reaction
- a seizure, loss of consciousness or sudden confusion
- a severe asthma attack that isn’t improving
Don’t drive yourself if you’re unwell. The nearest public hospital emergency department is at Grampians Health Ballarat (Ballarat Base Hospital), 1 Drummond Street North, Ballarat Central.
Urgent but not life-threatening
Some problems need attention today but aren’t an emergency, such as a minor burn, a sprain, a urinary tract infection or a child with a fever who is otherwise alert and drinking. Your options include:
- Your GP during opening hours. Delacombe Medical Centre is open seven days, weekdays 8am to 6pm and weekends and public holidays 9am to 4pm.
- 13SICK National Home Doctor Service, 13 74 25. Bulk billed after-hours home visits for common, non-life-threatening conditions when your GP is closed.
- Medicare Urgent Care Clinics. These treat urgent, non-life-threatening conditions without an appointment, with no cost for Medicare card holders. Use the Healthdirect service finder to see what’s nearby.
Not sure what to do? Get advice
Healthdirect, 1800 022 222, connects you with a registered nurse 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They can help you decide whether to manage at home, see a GP, go to urgent care or call an ambulance. The Healthdirect website also has a symptom checker and a directory of after-hours services.
Mental health support
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 000. For 24-hour support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
Make a plan before you need it
- save 000, 13 74 25 and 1800 022 222 in your phone
- keep a list of your medicines and allergies on your phone or in your wallet
- know your nearest emergency department and urgent care options
- book a follow-up with your regular GP after any after-hours visit, so your records stay up to date
When your child is unwell after hours
It can be hard to know what to do when a child is unwell at night. Call 000 if your child has trouble breathing, is very drowsy or hard to wake, has a seizure, has a rash that doesn’t fade when pressed, or you’re very worried. For advice, Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 can help you decide on next steps. The Royal Children’s Hospital also publishes reliable fact sheets on common childhood illnesses.
Don’t forget your pharmacist
Pharmacists can give advice on minor illnesses such as colds, hay fever, mild skin conditions and pain relief, and many pharmacies around Ballarat have extended hours. They can also tell you when you need to see a doctor.
Running out of medicine
If you run low on regular medicine after hours, speak with a pharmacist, who may be able to provide an emergency supply of some medicines in certain situations. To avoid this, check your supply regularly and book a script appointment with your GP before you run out. Telehealth appointments can suit repeat scripts for many patients.
Why follow up with your regular GP?
After any visit to an emergency department, urgent care clinic or home doctor, book a follow-up with your regular GP. They can review what happened, update your records and medicines, arrange any tests and make sure nothing is missed. If you’re registered with MyMedicare, this helps keep your care connected.
Our opening hours in Delacombe
Delacombe Medical Centre is open seven days at Pad 1, Delacombe Town Centre, 315 Glenelg Highway, Smythes Creek: weekdays 8am to 6pm, and weekends and public holidays 9am to 4pm. Book online with HotDoc or call (03) 9948 9176 during opening hours.
After-hours doctor in Ballarat: quick reference
When you need an after-hours doctor in Ballarat, call 13SICK on 13 74 25 for a home visit, Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for nurse advice, or 000 in an emergency. During opening hours, same-day GP appointments in Delacombe are offered when available. Same-day appointments.
Frequently asked questions
13SICK National Home Doctor Service provides bulk billed after-hours home visits for eligible patients with a Medicare card.
Urgent care clinics are for conditions that need care today but aren’t life-threatening. For anything severe or life-threatening, call 000 or go to emergency.
Yes. Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 provides free nurse advice 24 hours a day.
Sources and further reading
This article is general health information and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Information is current as at November 2026 and may change. Always speak with your GP about your own health. In an emergency, call 000.
Talk to a GP about your health
Bulk billed for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card. Open seven days at Delacombe Town Centre.
