Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital

When we were researching essential emergency services in Brisbane, the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH) consistently came up as the largest tertiary referral hospital in Queensland. Located just a few kilometers from Brisbane's CBD in Herston, this world-class public facility operates 24/7 and serves as the primary emergency care provider for both locals and visitors. During our time in Brisbane, we heard from many travelers who had positive experiences with the professional and efficient care they received here.

The Emergency and Trauma Centre at RBWH is impressively large, treating over 77,000 patients annually including about 2,000 acute trauma cases. What makes this facility particularly valuable for travelers is its comprehensive range of specialized services all in one location. The hospital houses dedicated units for various medical emergencies and has state-of-the-art equipment for diagnosing and treating critical conditions.

What to Expect When Visiting RBWH

If you find yourself needing emergency care while in Brisbane, it's good to know that RBWH treats patients based on the urgency of their condition, not on a first-come, first-served basis. This means the most critical cases are seen first, which is reassuring in serious situations. Based on feedback from other travelers, we learned that bringing identification, travel insurance details, and any relevant medical information can help streamline the process.

• No referral letter from a GP is required to access the emergency department
• The hospital has free WiFi available for patients (MetroNorth-PatientWiFi)
• For less urgent medical issues, consider visiting a GP or after-hours clinic first
• If unsure whether your condition warrants a trip to emergency, call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84)
• In critical situations, always call 000 for an ambulance

While we fortunately didn't need to use their services during our stay, we've heard from fellow travelers that the staff are generally helpful with international patients and understand the unique challenges faced when you're ill away from home. Just be aware that during peak times, the wait can be several hours for non-critical cases, so bringing essentials like water, snacks, and something to keep you occupied is advisable.