Emergency Medicine at Ashford Hospital
Ashford Hospital Emergency Service
- 8am to 10pm daily
- and 24 hours for Chest Pain Patients
Ashford Hospital provides an Adult Emergency Service that is open from 8am to 10pm daily, and accepts cardiac patients 24 hours a day. The Service is staffed by medical and nursing staff specifically trained to deal with a wide range of medical and surgical emergencies.
The Ashford Emergency Service is predominantly an Adult Emergency Service. It accepts and reviews the majority of medical and surgical conditions, specialising in cardiac conditions. However, situations such as Major Trauma, Paediatric Medicine, and Psychiatric conditions will be referred to a major centre with the appropriate facilities.
The Emergency Service has rapid access to onsite Radiology and Pathology Services.
Chest Pain Centre
- No referral required
- Call (08) 8375 5205 or (08) 8375 5222
- 55 Anzac Highway, Ashford
- For chest pain and cardiac related symptoms
- Immediate assessment and diagnosis
- Cardiologist - on call 24/7
- Cardiac Medical Officer - available 24/7
- Acute intervention 24/7 (including angiography and angioplasty)
Location
The Ashford Emergency Service is situated at 55 Anzac Highway, roughly 5 km from the Adelaide CBD towards Glenelg.
Long term parking is available at Ashford Hospital's multi storey car park accessed from Everard Avenue.
Triage
On arrival to the Emergency Service, you will see a specialist emergency nurse called the 'Triage Nurse'. The Triage Nurse’s job is to determine the severity of your problem, by performing an initial assessment when you arrive in the department. In Australia we use the Australasian Triage Scale to determine which patients medical staff should assess first. This enables life-threatening conditions to be seen as an absolute high priority.
In general, the triage system has 5 levels:
- Immediate (life threatening)
- Emergency (could become life threatening)
- Urgent
- Semi-urgent
- Non-urgent (needs treatment when time permits)
Waiting Times
Your waiting time will depend on the number of patients whose condition is more serious than your own and on how busy the service and the rest of the hospital is at the time. The waiting room may appear quiet, however this does not mean the Emergency Service is not busy. The department understands that waiting can be frustrating but it will do everything it can to keep your wait to a minimum and keep you as comfortable as possible. In addition, you can always ask the Triage Nurse any questions you may have and it is important to let the Triage Nurse know if you feel your condition changes. Several aspects of care may commence during the time that you are waiting to see the doctor, eg. pain relief.
Facility Fee
A Facility Fee is charged for attendance at private Emergency Service. The Facility Fee will not be covered by your private health fund. Any Medicare component of the doctor's fee will be refunded as applicable. Radiology and pathology gaps where applicable will be charged by the individual service providers and billed by them.
Admission
Ashford will advise that you be admitted to hospital if it believes that this is the best way to help you. As your admission is unplanned, it may take some time for a hospital bed to be ready. Sometimes, Ashford may transfer you to another hospital for your treatment. Until then, you will be cared for in the Emergency Department.
Private Health Insurance
Though the Emergency Service treats everyone equally, patients with private health insurance can choose to be admitted as a private patient. Non-insured patients may opt to assume the cost of admission after discussion with medical and reception staff. Patients who choose to be transferred to another private hospital to continue care under their specialist, are responsible for the cost of the facility fee and for ambulance transfers.
Safety and Security
Areas of the Emergency Service are under constant security surveillance to provide security and safety for the patients and staff whilst in the department.
Ashford Hospital advises you to ask a friend or relative to look after your valuables while you are being treated. If you bring property into the Emergency Service, the care of these items is your responsibility. If a patient is unable to look after their own property, valuables can be itemised and stored formally in the safe, for collection later.
Telephone Enquiries
Ashford welcomes any enquiries regarding its service, but remind you that it cannot offer any medical advice over the phone. Should you experience any symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath or require urgent medical attention, call an ambulance to take you to hospital for further assessment, as soon as possible.
Ashford Hospital Emergency Service: (08) 8375 5205 or (08) 8375 5222
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an appointment to go to an Emergency Service?
No. All Emergency Service treat people who present for medical assistance. Patients are treated on a needs basis - emergencies and severe illnesses take priority over more minor complaints.
Can I eat or drink while I am waiting?
Ashford Emergency Service asks that you do not eat or drink before being seen. You may need tests or procedures that require you not to eat or drink beforehand.
Meals for relatives and friends can be purchased at the Cafe near the main reception on the first floor. Limited drinks are available from a vending machine in the Emergency Service waiting room, including tea and coffee. Please note that no change is available from the clerk's desk for the vending machine, phone or car parking.
Can my family be with me?
Having family or friends with you can ease the stress, so family and friends are welcome after the initial assessment. They should feel free to help with your care, however for safety reasons only one or two visitors are allowed in the servicce at one time. Ashford asks that you and your family and friends respect the privacy of others.
If I am brought to the Emergency Service by ambulance, how do I get home if I am not admitted to hospital?
Ambulances are only for emergency situations, so you will need to make alternative arrangements to get home. If you can, tell a friend or relative as soon as possible that you are going to, or at the Emergency Service, and that you will need assistance getting home.
Alternatively, taxi phones are situated in the waiting room.
What happens if I decide to leave the Emergency Service before being treated by a doctor?
Should you decide prior to treament that you are feeling better or will see your general practitioner or attend another facility, you are free to leave at any time. Please inform the receptionist or triage nurse that you are leaving.
If you leave before being seen by a doctor, Ashford Hospital cannot be held responsible if your illness/injury deteriorates.
General Information