Every parent has been there. It’s 7pm, your child has a temperature, a rash, or an injury, and you’re trying to figure out whether this is a GP situation or a hospital situation.
Getting it right matters. Emergency departments are stretched, and unnecessary visits mean longer waits for everyone, including people who genuinely need urgent care. But waiting when you shouldn’t can also cause real problems.
Here’s a practical guide to help you make the call.
Go to the Emergency Room If…
Some situations need emergency care immediately. Don’t wait for a GP appointment if your child has any of the following:
Breathing difficulties
Struggling to breathe, breathing very fast, skin sucking in around the ribs or throat, or lips and fingernails turning blue.
Loss of consciousness or seizures
Any loss of consciousness, a first seizure, or a seizure lasting more than 5 minutes.
Severe allergic reaction
Swelling of the face, lips or throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing, hives spreading rapidly after eating or being stung.
Head injury with concerning symptoms
Vomiting repeatedly after a head knock, loss of consciousness, confusion, or a seizure following a head injury.
Significant bleeding that won’t stop
Deep cuts, wounds that won’t stop bleeding with direct pressure, or injuries from something that may need stitches.
High fever in a very young baby
Any fever in a baby under 3 months is a medical emergency. Go to ED.
Signs of meningitis
A rash that doesn’t fade when pressed with a glass, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, severe headache, or a bulging fontanelle in infants.
Severe abdominal pain
Intense stomach pain, particularly if your child is doubled over, vomiting repeatedly, or the pain is getting worse.
Suspected poisoning or swallowing something dangerous
Call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 first, then follow their advice.
See Your GP If…
For most childhood illnesses and injuries, your GP is the right first call. This includes:
- Fever in children over 3 months that is manageable with paracetamol and the child is alert
- Ear pain, ear infections, or fluid from the ear
- Sore throat, cough, or cold symptoms
- Mild to moderate asthma that is responding to their reliever puffer
- Rashes that aren’t spreading rapidly and the child seems well
- Vomiting or diarrhoea without signs of dehydration
- Minor cuts, scrapes, or sprains
- Pink eye or eye discharge
- Urinary symptoms like pain when weeing or frequent toilet trips
- Skin infections, spots, or sores
- Ongoing issues like eczema, allergies, or behavioural concerns
- School and developmental concerns
If you’re ever unsure, calling your GP clinic is a perfectly reasonable first step. We can help you work out whether your child needs to come in, whether it can wait, or whether you should head to ED.
A Few Signs Your Child Needs to Be Seen Sooner Rather Than Later
Even when a situation doesn’t seem like an emergency, trust your instincts. Go straight in or call us if:
- Your child is unusually quiet, limp, or hard to wake
- They’re not drinking anything and you’re worried about dehydration
- They’ve been sick for a few days and seem to be getting worse, not better
- Something just doesn’t feel right
Parents know their kids. If something feels off, act on it.
After-Hours Care on the Gold Coast
Southport Metro Doctors is open 7 days a week, which means you have access to GP care across the weekend when many clinics are closed. For after-hours situations that aren’t emergencies, this can save you a long wait at the hospital.
For genuine emergencies, the Gold Coast University Hospital Emergency Department is at 1 Hospital Blvd, Southport.
Book at Southport Metro Doctors
Our GPs see children of all ages, from newborns through to teenagers. No referral needed. We’re open 7 days at Australia Fair Metro Shopping Centre in Southport.
Book online or call us on 07 5612 7830.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you are ever in doubt about your child’s health, seek medical attention promptly.