Alice Springs Hospital

Introduction

Alice Springs Hospital is a public hospital that serves the Central Australia region.

This guide has information about making an appointment, services, visiting, social workers, volunteers and hospital contact details.

Going to emergency

Alice Springs Hospital emergency department is open 24 hours. You do not need an appointment.

Being admitted to hospital

Find out about what you should bring and other information if you are being admitted to Alice Springs Hospital.

Making an appointment in the ASH outpatient department

You need a written referral from an authorised healthcare professional first to get an appointment at the hospital to see a specialist. You cannot make an appointment without this referral.

Once your referral has been reviewed by the specialist, you will be offered a choice of times and dates for your appointment.

If you have a mobile phone, you will receive a text message 2 days before to remind you about your appointment.

If your appointment is non-urgent, you will be sent an appointment letter.

You should tell the hospital if your phone number or address changes.

Attending your appointment

You should arrive on time for your appointment. If you're late, the doctor may not be able to see you.

Bring your current Medicare card as it will need to be checked when you arrive at reception. If you don't have a Medicare card, you may be charged extra fees.

The outpatient department is located on the left in the hospital’s main entrance. The eye clinic outpatients is located on the right.

Find out how to get to Alice Springs Hospital.

Sometimes the number of emergency appointments may mean your appointment is postponed.

You must give 24 hours notice if you need to reschedule your appointment, so other patients can be offered your appointment.

If you need to cancel your appointment, call 1800 761 855.

If you miss your appointment

If you don't go to your scheduled outpatient appointment, your medical history will be reviewed and you may be removed from the waiting list.

Alternatively, a specialist may decide that you still need urgent or non-urgent care.

If you need urgent care, hospital staff will call you to book another appointment.

If you need non-urgent care, you will be sent a letter inviting you to contact the outpatient department to book another appointment.

If you don't contact the outpatient department within 30 days, you will be discharged from the specialist clinic.

The hospital will consider your circumstances if you are disadvantaged or are experiencing genuine hardship.

Contact the outpatient department

The Alice Springs Hospital Outpatient Department is open from 8am to 4:21pm Monday to Friday, except for public holidays.

Call 1800 761 855 between 8am to 4pm from Monday to Friday, except for public holidays.

Referrals should be faxed to 08 8980 0738 or emailed to intakeopdash.doh@nt.gov.au.

Getting help from an Aboriginal interpreter

You can ask for an Aboriginal interpreter to help you understand information during your hospital appointment.

Professional interpreters can be with you during your appointment, or link up via video conference or over the phone.

The service is free if you are a patient in hospital or when you come to hospital for an appointment.

Aboriginal interpreters for Alice Springs Hospital appointments can be booked by calling 08 8951 5576.

The Aboriginal Interpreter Service also offers a 24 hour on-call service on 1800 334 944.

Visiting Alice Springs Hospital

The Alice Springs Hospital is on Gap Road, a few blocks south of the central business district.

Essential visitors

Essential visitors can visit a patient between 10am and 8pm.

Only one visitor per patient is allowed. No children will be allowed unless previously arranged.

Who is an essential visitor

Essential visitors are considered to be the following:

  • The parent, guardian or temporary carer of a patient aged under 18 years.
  • A person providing essential care and support for a patient’s physical or emotional wellbeing, including:
    • mental health support and
    • support for people living with dementia.
  • A nominated person of a patient who is in hospital to receive care for a mental illness as defined under the Mental Health Act.
  • A person providing interpreter or informal language support.
  • A person learning to support a patient’s care once they are discharged from hospital.
  • The carer of a patient with a disability.
  • A person providing support to a patient whose medical condition is life threatening.
  • A person providing end-of-life support for a patient.
  • A person accompanying a patient to the emergency department.
  • A person accompanying a patient to an outpatient appointment.
  • The partner or support person of a pregnant woman, whose status as a patient relates to their pregnancy.
  • The partner or support person of a patient in a maternity ward, whose status as a patient relates to pregnancy or childbirth.

Visiting rules

The following applies to everyone entering the hospital:

  • If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, do not visit patients.
  • Use the Territory Check In app.
  • Hand hygiene is mandatory.
  • Physical distancing is mandatory.
  • Surgical masks must be worn at all times.
  • You must disclose to the COVID-19 screeners if you have travelled interstate in the last seven days.
    • If so, you must complete a rapid antigen test and have a negative result.

Stay up to date with the latest information on the NT Coronavirus website.

Maternity ward visitors

Partners can visit at any time but should allow a rest period from midday until 2pm.

Intensive care, palliative care, day procedure unit

Speak to ward staff about visits.

Children's ward

Visiting hours are between 10am and 8pm.

Visiting during a COVID-19 lockdown or lockout

Visiting arrangements at Northern Territory hospitals are restricted during lockdowns and lockouts to keep patients, staff and the community safe.

Parking

Visitor parking, including disabled parking is at the front of the hospital on Gap Road. There are also four car parks near the emergency department entrance.

Alcohol

No alcohol may be brought into the hospital unless special permission is given.

If you are affected by alcohol you will be asked to leave, and may be accompanied off the premises.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted inside hospital buildings or on the grounds of the hospital.

Find out more information about smoking near hospitals.

Gifts

Visitors should ask nursing staff before bringing lollies, food and drinks.

Patients may not be allowed to eat or drink some items when they are having a course of treatments.

Services at Alice Springs Hospital

Alice Springs Hospital provides a range of services including:

For more information about any of the services listed, contact the hospital.

Allied heath services

The hospital is supported by allied health services, including:

  • occupational therapy
  • speech pathology
  • nutrition and dietetics
  • podiatry
  • social workers
  • pharmacy
  • physiotherapist

Therapy services are typically between 8am to 4:15pm Monday to Friday. For more information find an allied health service.

Aboriginal liaison

The Aboriginal liaison officer can help provide culturally appropriate support services.

This includes help with all of the following:

  • interpreting
  • family meetings
  • help with Centrelink forms
  • banking
  • complaints.

If you would like an Aboriginal liaison officer, contact the hospital.

Other services

You can also access all of the following services:

  • allergy
  • cardiology
  • dermatology
  • diabetes
  • gastroenterology
  • general medicine
  • general surgery
  • geriatrics
  • gynaecology
  • haematology
  • hepatology
  • maxilo-facial
  • neurology
  • neurosurgery
  • oncology
  • ophthalmology
  • orthopaedics
  • pain specialists
  • plastic surgery
  • radiation oncology
  • respiratory
  • rheumatology
  • spinal rehab
  • vascular surgery.

Volunteers at Alice Springs Hospital

The Alice Springs Hospital Drovers Volunteer Service is run by local community volunteers.

What Drovers do

Drovers visit wards daily with a trolley stocked with free items, including:

  • magazines
  • books
  • toiletries
  • reading glasses
  • coloring books and pencils

These items are funded through fundraising and community donations.

Drovers also offer friendly smiles and time for chats with patients who need company.

Become a Drover

To volunteer as a Drover, contact the Drovers Volunteer Service by calling 0458 973 653 or emailing  thedroversalicesprings@gmail.com.

Volunteers must get a:

Contact Alice Springs Hospital

Alice Springs Hospital
Gap Road
Alice Springs NT 0870

PO Box 2234
Alice Springs NT 0871
Phone: 08 8951 7777

Patient advocates

The Alice Springs Hospital has patient advocates to support you while you're in hospital.

Phone: 08 8951 7777
patientliaisonash.doh@nt.gov.au

Complaints and feedback

You can make a complaint, suggestion or ask a question about hospital services on the Department of Health website.

How to get there

To get to the Alice Springs Hospital using public transport, get public bus timetables and maps for Alice Springs.