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EMERGENCY

In an emergency, always call triple zero (000) for an ambulance. Ambulances are the safest way to be assessed, treated and transported to the right hospital for the care you need.

Triple zero (000) is a free call from any phone, mobile or phone box.

For less severe but still urgent situations, go to an Emergency Department.

There are 12 public hospital Emergency Departments in Northern NSW Local Health District and they are all available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Emergency departments are located at:

measles alert
Published: 09 Feb 2025

Northern NSW Local Health District is advising people to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles after being notified of a confirmed case who was infectious while visiting several locations in Lismore.

The person had recently returned from overseas.

People who attended the following locations should watch for the development of symptoms:
•    Lismore Square Shopping Centre (cnr Brewster and Uralba Streets, Lismore) between 11am and 1pm on Sunday 2 February.
•    Lismore Base Hospital Emergency Department between 6.15pm on Thursday 6 February and 2.20am on Friday 7 February.

Northern NSW Local Health District Director of Population Health, Dr Valerie Delpech, said while these locations pose no ongoing risk, if you or someone you know, visited the above locations at those times you should monitor for symptoms.

“Symptoms to watch out for include fever, sore eyes, runny nose and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head and face to the rest of the body,” Dr Delpech said.

“If symptoms develop, seek medical attention, but phone ahead so that precautions can be taken to prevent measles being spread to anyone else.

“It can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after an exposure, so it's important for people who visited these locations to look out for symptoms up until Tuesday 25 February.

“We want to remind the community to make sure they are up to date with their vaccinations. The measles vaccine can prevent the disease even after exposure, if given early enough.

“This should be a reminder for everyone to check that they are protected against measles, which is highly infectious.    

“Anyone born after 1965 needs to ensure they have had two doses of measles vaccine. This is especially important before overseas travel, as measles outbreaks are occurring in several regions of the world at the moment."

The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and effective and is given free for children at 12 and 18 months of age. It is also free in NSW for anyone born after 1965 who hasn't already had two doses.

Children under the age of 12 months can have their first dose of MMR up to three months earlier if they are travelling to areas with a high risk for measles. Parents should consult their GP.

People who are unsure of whether they have had two doses should get a vaccine, as additional doses are safe. This is particularly important prior to travel. MMR vaccine is available from GPs (all ages) and pharmacies (people over five years of age).

For more information on measles, view the measles factsheet.