Coming to Emergency
If it's a life-threatening emergency
If your child has a life-threatening medical emergency or condition call 000 and ask for an ambulance.
If you are not sure what to do, call HealthDirect Australia on 1800 022 222 for free health advice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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WA COVID-19 Lockdown: Visiting changes
In a change to our visitor guidelines, one person may accompany a patient. Siblings are not allowed to attend.
Exemptions may be made on emergency or compassionate grounds.
You must wear a mask when you come to ED.
If you are coming to the Emergency Department with a child who has suspected COVID, please call ahead on 6456 2222 (asking for the Emergency Department) so we can anticipate your arrival.
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When to bring your child to Emergency
If your child has an
urgent medical condition such as an accident or an injury (such as a burn, broken bone or injury to the head) or is very unwell, you can bring them to the Emergency Department (ED) at PCH or your nearest hospital emergency department. This
handy chart will help you decide when to call 000, go to the Emergency Department or see your GP.
PCH ED age range
PCH ED provides services for children up to the age of 16.
This can be extended to the age of 18, if they have a pre-existing medical condition which they are still receiving care for at PCH.
Mental Health clinical nurse specialists support mental health assessments in the PCH ED for children up to the age of 16 years.
Travelling to Emergency
If it is safe to drive your child to hospital, you can use the patient set down area outside ED main entrance on Hospital Avenue, Nedlands.
These are 15 minute short term parking bays for pick up and drop off, after which you will be required to move your car. More information can be found on the Travelling to PCH page.
If your child has a
life-threatening medical emergency, call 000 and an ambulance will transport them directly to the PCH ED.
When you arrive
To enter the hospital, you will need to complete a COVID-19 Visitor Screening survey and if you are over the age of 12, be wearing a mask.
When you go through to the Triage waiting area in PCH ED, take a ticket from the check in kiosk.
When your number is called, you will see a specialist emergency triage nurse who make a quick assessment of the urgency of your child’s condition. Once this assessment is complete, your child will be allocated a score on the triage scale. You'll then be taken through to the Pod waiting areas to seen by a nurse or doctor.
Why you might have to wait
The triage process in ED means that the sickest children are seen first. PCH ED staff may not be able to give you a waiting time to see a doctor as this may change depending on the severity, urgency and number of all patients currently in ED.
If we are busy and you have to wait, we appreciate your patience and we will see you as soon as possible.
Check the current activity status of PCH’s Emergency Department here.
What to bring
If possible, please bring along the following items with you to ED:
- Your Medicare card and any concession cards with your child’s details
- Private health insurance details (if you would like your child admitted as a private patient)
- A list of your current medications
- Any x-rays, ultrasounds, scans that may be related to your child’s condition
- The name of your GP
- For overseas visitors/students: your child’s passport and health insurance details.
While you’re here, there are a number of
facilities you can access including family lounges, food and retail and more.
Important to note
- Do not give your child anything to eat or drink while waiting without checking with one of the nurses or doctors.
- Do not give your child any medications while in hospital without discussing with their nurse or doctor first.
Please tell a nurse or doctor if:
- You think your child’s condition may have worsened while waiting, please tell a staff member immediately.
- Your child is in pain.
- Your child has taken any medication or pain killers in the last 24 hours (including paracetamol or ibuprofen).
- You know of any allergies your child might have.
Location
Our Emergency Department (ED) is located at 15 Hospital Avenue in Nedlands, on the QEII Medical Centre site.
There is an Emergency set down area (15 minute parking) outside the main entrance and the entrance to ED.
View the hospital map for more information.
Hours
The PCH Emergency Department is open every day of the year, 24 hours a day.
Urgent care
You can now get urgent care appointments for minor injuries or illness without the need to go to the Emergency Department.
Find a GP Urgent Care clinic here.
More information
- Toilets are located inside the ED and immediately outside the main ED waiting area near the Green lifts.
- A Parenting Room (changing table and breastfeeding facilities) is located near the Green lifts.
- Public payphones and an ATM are in the corridor outside ED to the Atrium.
- After 9pm, a shutter is lowered in the corridor between ED and the main hospital Atrium. It reopens at 6.30am (these hours are 6.30am to 7.30pm on weekends).
- Vending machines are available outside ED near the Green lifts. There are free tea and coffee facilities inside ED for parents and carers.
- A small convenience store, Xpress Zone, is located on the Ground floor of the QEII multideck carpark and is open Monday to Saturday, 7am to 8pm.