Priority Care Centres

Priority Care Centres (PCCs) provide community-based healthcare and treatment for eligible patients with urgent but non-life threatening conditions who would otherwise be seeking treatment at a public hospital emergency department.

Priority Care Centres are not walk in clinics and are only available to patients who have an appropriate referral.

SA Health, in partnership with the Adelaide Primary Health Network and general practices, has established five Priority Care Centres across Adelaide in Marion, Elizabeth, Para Hills West, Hindmarsh, and Mount Barker.

These centres are led by general practitioners with additional support from SA Health hospital-trained nurses. They can also provide a range of services that can support care and treatment, including access to:

  • diagnostic tools, such as imaging (x-rays) and pathology
  • pharmacy services
  • referral to community-based health services for follow up care

Patients with conditions that can be treated at a PCC can be referred by:

  • Public hospital emergency department clinicians
  • SA Ambulance Service paramedics
  • General practitioners
  • healthdirect phone line 1800 022 222
  • Women’s and Children’s Child and Adolescent Virtual Urgent Care Service
  • other community services.

Patients referred from a public hospital emergency department may choose to remain at the emergency department to wait for care and treatment.

Patients who are eligible for Medicare can access a PCC with no out‑of‑pocket costs, and will need to provide their Medicare card on arrival at the centre.

Referral partners can contact health.prioritycarecentres@sa.gov.au for additional information on referral pathways.