Know your right treatment option this winter
30 May 2025
With the onset of cooler weather and winter only days away from officially beginning, the Department of Health is renewing its call for Tasmanians to be aware of the right treatment option to suit their health needs.
For a number of reasons, the winter season is traditionally a busy time for our health service – particularly our hospitals – with a major factor being the increased circulation in the community of common respiratory illnesses.
Secretary of the Department of Health, Dale Webster, said it was important for Tasmanians to familiarise themselves with the many treatment options available to them depending on the nature of their health concern.
“Our hospitals are always busy, and we are asking for the community’s support to work with us and to keep our hospital Emergency Departments for emergencies, and help us ease pressure on our hospitals more broadly,’’ Mr Webster said.
“For all Tasmanians who require emergency care, we always urge them to call Triple Zero (000) or go to the nearest Emergency Department. Our dedicated staff at Ambulance Tasmania and our hospital Emergency Departments will be there to care for you and your life-threatening emergency.
“But if you have a non-emergency health issue, there are a number of alternative services available to provide care for you. These include the five Medicare Urgent Care Clinics across Tasmania – two in Hobart, one in Bridgewater, one in Launceston and one in Devonport – which provide bulk-bulled healthcare for urgent health issues without the need for an appointment, 7 days a week.
“The Care@home service is also available to provide around the clock care – particularly to Tasmanians experiencing respiratory illnesses – and this can be done virtually while the patient is in the comfort of their own home. The team can be contacted on 1800 973 363, and you may be able to self-enrol to the service.
“The Access Mental Health phone line (1800 332 388) is also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to support Tasmanians with mental health support, triage and referral to other services as appropriate.
“Community pharmacies can provide advice and treatment for common injuries and illnesses that are more minor in nature, and many of them are open on evenings, weekends and public holidays,” Mr Webster said.
Pharmacies may be able to make a one-off supply of many prescription-only medicines to patients in certain circumstances, and many pharmacies can also provide absence from work certificates.
If it is not an emergency and you are not sure what to do, a good place to start is by calling Healthdirect on 1800 022 222. This service is also available 24/7 and can help guide you to the most appropriate treatment option for you or your loved one.
During winter months we also see increases in common respiratory infections, so it’s important for Tasmanians to take action to protect themselves and their family this winter.
The best thing Tasmanians can do to prepare is to stay up to date with vaccinations, as they remain the best defence against serious illness from respiratory infections including COVID-19 and flu.
For more information about non-emergency care options available in Tasmania, visit: www.health.tas.gov.au/rightcare