Mansfield District Hospital

Accident & Emergency

When should I go to Accident & Emergency?

If you had been involved in an accident and have been injured or are suffering from an acute episode, you should come to the accident and emergency department.

If you are unsure if you should attend, please telephone your local doctor in the first instance and the hospital in the second instance for advice.

Why do I get a bill from the doctor?

The accident and emergency department is staffed by local GPs, and you will incur a cost for being seen by a doctor. You will also incur a cost if you require additional tests, such as x-rays, and will be billed directly by the local medical clinics. People suffering financial hardship can discuss payment arrangements with the doctor. A schedule of fees will be given to you on arrival in the department before the doctor is notified of your presentation. Please note that you may not necessarily be seen by a doctor if it is not an emergency and may be asked to make an appointment at your local medical clinic the next working day.

Why do I not always see a doctor when I go to the accident and emergency department?

People are prioritised according to the severity of their illness or injury. Unless it is a life-threatening emergency or an urgent case, you may not see a doctor. The doctor may instruct hospital staff to ask you to make an appointment at the medical clinic the next working day if your condition is considered to be non-urgent.

Will I be charged for an ambulance if I am transferred to another hospital from the accident and emergency department?

Yes, being an unfunded service, you will be charged by Rural Ambulance Victoria if transferred from the emergency department. It is important that you are an ambulance subscriber to cover this cost.

Will the hospital supply me with medications if I run out of a script?

No, the hospital is not in a position to fill scripts. There is always a local pharmacy open seven days a week to fulfil this requirement (limited hours on weekends).

Why do I have to wait so long to see a doctor?

We have audited our waiting times and found that the average waiting time in the emergency department is 40 minutes. Being a small hospital, our doctors are often busy in the operating theatre, seeing patients on the wards or, during the day, conducting their clinics. If it is urgent, a doctor will be there to see you within a very short space of time.

A Profile of our Accident and Emergency Department

Following the completion of the statewide Emergency Department project Mansfield District Hospital saw the introduction of Standing Orders.

Standing Orders are protocols which enable registered nurses to administer certain medication in the absence of a Medical Officer.

Training was given to nursing staff working in the department to widen their scope of practice enabling them to provide more comprehensive care to the less urgent presentations.  Our total number of presentations has been slightly down on last year (3139 presentations) but the total number of presentations assessed and treated by nursing staff continues to be over 30%.