Access virtual emergency care
Our virtual emergency care service (VECS) is a safe way to get emergency care by video call if your illness or injury isn’t life threatening.
On this page
When to go to an emergency department
Go to an emergency department or call Triple Zero (000) if you have a life threatening injury or illness. This includes chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe pain or bleeding.
Who can use virtual emergency care
Anyone in Queensland can use our virtual emergency care service, including people visiting the state. It’s free and you don’t need a Medicare card, or a referral from your GP.
How to access virtual emergency care (VECS)
We’re open every day from 8 am to 10 pm, including public holidays.
For patients
Select an option below.
Option 1: Not sure if you need VECS
Option 2: Access VECS
For health professionals
GPs, nurses, paramedics, and other health professionals can use VECS to get specialist advice from an emergency care doctor. Queensland Health has more information on how to access virtual emergency care for your patients .
What we can help with
We treat conditions that aren’t life threatening. You may feel unwell or in pain, but you don’t need an ambulance or immediate hospital care.
Our team of emergency health professionals will make sure you get the urgent care you need and can:
- prescribe medicine
- refer you to other services for things like x-rays or blood tests
- arrange a follow up or referral.
If you need to see a doctor in person, they’ll link you with other services. If you live in a metro area this may be a satellite health centre or a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic. Otherwise, it’ll be your nearest health service or hospital if you need emergency care.
What we don’t do
As an emergency care service, we don’t offer routine care like a GP does. We’re here to help when you’re suddenly unwell, need immediate care, or your condition is getting worse.
You’ll need to see your GP for things like:
- repeat prescriptions
- medical certificates.
We may arrange prescriptions, certificates, or tests if they’re related to your sudden illness or injury.
We don’t prescribe restricted medicines such as endone, methadone, fentanyl, diazepam, or lyrica.
We also don’t complete forms for WorkCover, insurance, Centrelink, or fitness-to-drive assessments.
Getting set up
You'll need a device with a camera, speaker, and microphone like a laptop, computer, smartphone or tablet.
You can talk to a doctor or nurse on the phone, but video appointments work best, especially if you have an injury.
Make sure you have a good internet connection and turn your TV or radio down so you can hear properly.
When you’ve connected to our team
After you connect with our emergency service, you’ll be assessed by our emergency nurse.
Depending on your needs, you may:
- have a video consultation with an emergency doctor
- be linked to another health service
- be advised to go to an emergency department.
If you have a video consultation with an emergency doctor, they’ll also assess whether they can treat you or refer you to another health service.
Your appointment
When you see one of our doctors, they may give you:
- a prescription for medicine
- medical imaging or blood test referral
- advice or other treatment.
They’ll explain what each one is for and how to get them.
We’ll also email your GP for a follow up appointment if you need one.