Who can help?
Find the right service in the right place at the right time to meet your medical need:
- GP
- Medical helpline
- Ambulance
- Emergency department
- Pharmacy
- Other helplines
Making the right choice for after hours medical care frees up emergency services for real emergencies and allows Tasmanians to get the best health service for the limited funds that are available.
Find out more in our FAQs.
Coronavirus
If you think you might have COVID-19 because of recent travel or contact with a confirmed case, phone the Tasmanian Public Health Hotline:
If you haven’t travelled or had contact with confirmed case, phone your doctor or healthdirect Australia (1800 022 222). Protect others around you by washing your hands and keeping your distance.
For general information about Coronavirus, including the national response, call the National Coronavirus Information Line on 1800 020 080 (24 hours, 7 days). If you require translating or interpreting services, call 131 450.
Find out more about Coronavirus on the Department of Health website.
Getting help for Coronavirus after hours
Find out how to get medical help for Coronavirus when your regular GP is not available after hours, such as at night, on weekends and on public holidays. Read more
GP
Your regular GP should always be your first point of call if you need urgent medical care, when it’s not a medical emergency. Some GPs offer after hours care, so find out the after hours arrangements that your GP has in place and keep the details handy (you can add them into the Tas After Hours app). Search the National Health Services Directory on this page to check your GP's after hours arrangements or find an open GP near you.
Medical helpline
If you don’t have a regular GP or they’re not available, you can still get medical advice 24/7 by calling the free, government-funded, national medical helpline, healthdirect, on 1800 022 222. You will be able to discuss your symptoms with a registered nurse who will provide advice. If needed during the after hours period, you will be offered a call-back from a Tasmanian GP and may see an on-call doctor.
Ambulance 000
For medical emergencies, call an ambulance on 000 (triple zero). Some examples include:
- chest pain or chest tightness
- sudden onset of abdominal pain, labour pain
- major accidents
- sudden onset of weakness, numbness, paralysis of limbs or face
- unconsciousness
- severe blood loss
- sudden unexplained collapse
Emergency departments
Emergency medical care is available through 19 hospitals, community and health centres across Tasmania. Search the National Health Services Directory on this page to find emergency care near you that is open now.
Emergency medical care is available 24/7 at the major hospitals:
- Royal Hobart Hospital – 6166 6100
- Launceston General Hospital – 6777 6405
- North West Regional Hospital (Burnie) – 6493 6000
- Mersey Community Hospital (Latrobe) – 6478 5500
Pharmacies
Some pharmacies have extended opening hours if you need medicine late at night or help to manage a minor illness. Search the National Health Services Directory on this page to find a pharmacy near you that is open now.
Other helplines and assistance
There are a wide range of helplines that provide services after hours. Find other helplines