The Nepean Hospital emergency department (ED) operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Our highly trained ED staff care for seriously injured and unwell patients who require urgent medical attention. With hundreds of patients treated daily, the dedicated team of health care clinicians and support staff are committed to providing you with the best possible care.
If you or someone you are with is having a medical emergency or in immediate danger, call 000 (triple zero).
We are committed to treating every person in our care with kindness, respect, and compassion. We are here for you.
When you arrive - the triage process
When you arrive in an ED a triage nurse will assess your condition and determine how urgently you need to be seen.
Nurses complete a formal triage to decide which area of ED will see you.
Areas of the emergency department
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Resuscitation
The sickest patients are seen in the resuscitation area. These people need a medical and nursing team response straight away.
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Acute Care & START Zone
Patients with a possible life-threatening condition are cared for in the Acute Care and START zones of the emergency department.
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Sub-Acute
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Fast Track
Patients with a minor illness or injury such as a wound or animal bite are treated in the Fast Track area.
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Children's Zone
Patients under the age of 16 who need medical care will be treated in the Children's Zone.
Fast facts about our emergency department in 2024
Alternatives to emergency departments
Emergency Departments are there for people who are in urgent need of lifesaving care.
If you have a non-life threatening illness or injury, please consider which health care alternative is the right care for you.
Support services in the emergency department
Patient experience officers (PEO)
PEOs are allocated to the waiting room and are available from 8am to 11:30pm, 7 days a week. They can assist you while you are waiting with any enquiry you may have i.e wait time. They are easily identifiable by their pink scrub tops.
Aboriginal Liaison Officer (ALO)
An Aboriginal Liaison Officer is available from 9:30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday to help provide cultural support for patients. If the ED ALO is unavailable, an Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer may be called upon.
CALD
Interpreter services are available upon request to support culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Purchasing equipment
If your diagnosis requires equipment to help you heal e.g. crutches/CAM boots, this can be purchased through the ED. Staff will assist you with this process.