Maitland Hospital Metford patient contact and visitor guide
Maitland Hospital is a public hospital at 51 Metford Road, Metford NSW 2323, serving Maitland and the wider Hunter community. This guide gives patients, carers and visitors the practical information they usually need before calling, booking, attending Emergency, using GP Access After Hours, visiting a ward or driving to the hospital.
Below you will find the hospital phone number, appointment guidance, emergency access, map, parking rules, visitor hours, internal department locations, maternity and outpatient directions, GP after-hours clinic details, services, accessibility support and the best questions to ask before travelling.
Maitland public hospital address, phone and emergency contact
| Hospital name | Maitland Hospital |
|---|---|
| Main address | 51 Metford Road, Metford NSW 2323, Australia |
| Main phone | (02) 4087 1000 |
| Opening hours | 24 hours, 7 days |
| Business hours | Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm |
| Emergency | Call 000 if you or someone nearby is in immediate danger. Maitland Hospital has a 24-hour Emergency Department. |
| Appointments | The NSW service listing says no referral is required and to call to book an appointment. Some specialist clinics or services may still require referral or specific instructions, so confirm by phone. |
| Telehealth | Virtual care is available at this service. Call the hospital to ask whether your appointment can be handled by telehealth. |
| Wheelchair access | Yes |
| Official website | Maitland Hospital NSW Government service page |
Maitland Hospital map, Metford location and arrival planning
Maitland Hospital is located at 51 Metford Road, Metford NSW 2323. The hospital has separate access points for the main entrance, Emergency, outpatient clinics, drop-off areas and car parks, so check the correct entry before arriving.
Map tip: use the Emergency entrance for Emergency Department care. The main entrance is used for visitors, wards, outpatients, maternity directions and GP Access After Hours.
New Maitland Hospital virtual tour video
This virtual tour is useful for patients and visitors who want to understand the modern hospital setting before attending. Use the written directions on this page for current parking, ward and appointment access because hospital operations can change.
Before you go: which Maitland Hospital contact should you use?
| Situation | Use this contact or entrance | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Life-threatening emergency | Call 000 | Use ambulance support when urgent care is needed. |
| Emergency Department visit | Use the Emergency entrance | The official hospital page says Emergency has no access from the main entrance. |
| Hospital switchboard or general enquiry | (02) 4087 1000 | Ask for the ward, department, outpatient clinic or service if you know it. |
| Outpatient appointment | Ground Floor outpatient area | Self-check-in kiosks are located in the Ground Floor outpatient area. |
| GP after-hours care | (02) 4926 0500 | Call first. GP Access After Hours uses phone triage before clinic appointments. |
| Non-life-threatening illness or injury | Call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 | NSW Health encourages Healthdirect for 24-hour telephone health advice when it is not life-threatening. |
| Visiting a patient | Main entrance, then lifts to wards | Check the patient’s current ward because patients can move wards. |
Driving, train, bus, taxi and community transport directions
The official hospital directions list simple routes from Newcastle and Rutherford, plus public transport options for people travelling by train, bus, taxi or community transport.
| Transport option | Practical direction |
|---|---|
| From Newcastle by car | Take the A43 New England Highway towards Maitland. Turn right onto Chelmsford Drive, then left onto Metford Road. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit to enter the hospital. |
| From Rutherford by car | Take the A43 towards Newcastle. Turn left onto Chelmsford Drive, then left onto Metford Road. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit to enter the hospital. |
| Train | The nearest station listed by NSW Government is Victoria Street on the Hunter Line. |
| Bus | A bus stop is near the main entrance, about a 2-minute walk. |
| Taxi | Drop-off points are located at the Emergency entrance, main entrance and Outpatient Clinics. |
| Community transport | Check Transport NSW or local community transport options before travel if you cannot drive or use standard public transport. |
| Sydney travel estimate | Maitland is roughly 2 hours by road from Sydney via the M1 Pacific Motorway, depending on traffic and your starting point. |
Maitland Hospital parking, drop-off zones and concession parking
Maitland Hospital has several parking areas, including short-stay Emergency access, all-day parking, staff permit parking, motorbike parking and bicycle parking. Parking rules and surrounding street restrictions should be checked on arrival.
| Parking or access item | Details for patients and visitors |
|---|---|
| P1 short stay | P1 is used for Emergency access. It is free for 2 hours. For longer stays, speak to staff at the main entrance or Emergency. |
| P3 visitor and staff parking | P3 is used for all-day parking and has accessible parking available. |
| P5 staff and fleet parking | P5 is for permit holders only. |
| Concession parking | Available for pension, health care and disability cardholders. Ask staff if you need help confirming eligibility. |
| Motorbike parking | Available in P1 and P3. |
| Bicycle parking | Available in P1. |
| Pay and display | The NSW hospital page lists pay and display parking at $4 per day. |
| Overflow parking | Use surrounding streets only where permitted and always check signs for restrictions. |
| Main entrance distance | The main entry is about 50 metres from P1 car park and about 150 metres from P3. |
Main entrance, information desk and finding your clinic
The main entrance is the easiest starting point for visitors, outpatient clinics, maternity directions, admissions, GP Access After Hours and most ward visits. Emergency Department patients should use the Emergency entrance instead.
| Hospital area | Where to go inside Maitland Hospital |
|---|---|
| Main entrance | Main visitor entry is about 50 metres from P1 and about 150 metres from P3. |
| Information desk | Located at the main entrance. Staffed Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 6:00pm, and weekends, 8:00am to 4:00pm. |
| Directory board and volunteers | Use the directory board at the main entrance or ask volunteers for directions. |
| Self-check-in kiosks | Located in the Ground Floor outpatient area. From the main entrance, go straight, then left at the lifts. |
| Hearing loops | Available at reception for hearing aid users using the t-coil setting. |
| ATM | Located past the Information Desk. |
| Emergency Department | Use the Emergency entrance. The official page says there is no access from the main entrance. |
| Outpatient clinics | Located on the Ground Floor. From the main entrance, go straight, then left at the lifts. |
| Admissions | Ground Floor, near the lifts. |
| Pharmacy | Lower Ground Floor, accessible via the lifts. |
| Multi-faith room | Ground Floor, at the end of the main corridor. |
Emergency Department and short-stay emergency support
Maitland Hospital has a 24-hour Emergency Department. It is for urgent and serious conditions, and patients are seen according to clinical priority rather than arrival order.
Emergency entrance
Use the Emergency entrance for Emergency Department presentations. The official hospital page says there is no access from the main entrance.
ED Short Stay Unit
NSW Health says Maitland Hospital’s Emergency Department Short Stay Unit expanded to 7-day operation in 2024 to support treatment, observation and emergency patient flow.
| Urgent care question | Practical answer |
|---|---|
| Do I need an appointment for Emergency? | No. Call 000 for life-threatening emergencies or go to the Emergency Department for urgent care. |
| Where is Emergency parking? | P1 short stay provides Emergency access and is free for 2 hours. |
| What if it is not life-threatening? | Call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for 24-hour advice, call your GP, or call GP Access After Hours when your GP is closed. |
| What does ED Short Stay do? | It provides a short period of ongoing treatment and observation and may help patients avoid an unnecessary hospital stay. |
Appointments, referrals, outpatient clinics and virtual care
The NSW service listing states that no referral is required and patients should call to book an appointment. In practice, some hospital services, specialist clinics, maternity appointments, imaging or allied health services may have their own referral or booking rules, so call first and use the instructions on any appointment letter.
How to book or confirm
Call the hospital on (02) 4087 1000 and ask for the clinic, department or appointment service you need. If you received a letter, use the phone number on that letter first.
Telehealth
Virtual care is available at Maitland Hospital. Ask whether your appointment can be handled by phone or video, and whether you need test results, forms or photos ready before the call.
Outpatient arrival steps
- Enter through the main entrance unless your appointment letter says otherwise.
- Go straight, then left at the lifts to the Ground Floor outpatient area.
- Use the self-check-in kiosks if directed.
- Ask the Information Desk or volunteers if your clinic location is unclear.
- Bring your referral, Medicare card, appointment letter and medication list.
- Call ahead if you need wheelchair assistance, interpreter help or telehealth.
GP Access After Hours at Maitland Hospital
GP Access After Hours is useful when your regular GP is closed and your issue is not serious enough for Emergency. The Maitland clinic is located at Maitland Hospital, but patients must call first for phone triage before an appointment is arranged.
| GP Access phone | (02) 4926 0500 |
|---|---|
| Maitland clinic address | Maitland Hospital, 51 Metford Road, Metford NSW 2323 |
| Where to enter | Enter via the Main Entry, not the Emergency Department entry. Take the first left after the retail shops and present to Reception Area A, the first waiting area on the left. |
| Weeknight clinic hours | 6:00pm to 10:00pm, depending on location and patient activity |
| Saturday clinic hours | 1:00pm to 10:00pm, depending on location and patient activity |
| Sunday and public holiday clinic hours | 9:00am to 10:00pm, depending on location and patient activity |
| Call centre hours | Weeknights 5:30pm to 8:00am next day; weekends 12:00pm Saturday to 8:00am Monday; public holidays 24 hours |
| Cost | GP Access services are bulk-billed to Medicare-eligible patients for eligible clinic or telehealth consultations. Fees may apply for patients without Medicare or where telehealth eligibility is not met. |
Hospital services, departments and patient care areas
Maitland Hospital provides comprehensive healthcare services for the Hunter community, including emergency care, surgery, maternity, specialised treatments, outpatient clinics and virtual care. The newer Metford hospital expanded local access to cancer treatment, surgery, maternity, paediatric care, renal dialysis, oral health and outpatient clinics.
| Service group | Services listed for Maitland Hospital |
|---|---|
| Emergency and urgent care | Emergency care, 24-hour Emergency Department, ED Short Stay Unit and GP Access After Hours for non-emergency after-hours GP care. |
| Medical and chronic care | Chronic conditions, chronic disease management, heart health, young people’s health and specialised treatments. |
| Surgery and procedures | Surgery, operating theatres, day procedure unit and inpatient surgical services. |
| Maternity and children | Pregnancy, birth and baby services, maternity care, nursing and midwifery, children and adolescents ward, special care nursery and child and family health. |
| Cancer and renal care | Cancer care, chemotherapy and immune therapy access introduced locally, plus renal dialysis services. |
| Diagnostics and support | Medical imaging, pathology, pharmacy, dental/oral health and virtual care. |
| Allied health | Allied health, nutrition and dietetics, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, social work, speech pathology and wound management. |
| Mental health and multicultural support | Mental health, multicultural health and support services listed by NSW Government. |
| Women’s health | Women’s health and maternity-related services. |
Service availability, referral pathways, appointment times and clinic locations can change. Call Maitland Hospital or use your appointment letter for the latest instructions.
Maternity, birthing unit, children’s ward and family facilities
Maitland Hospital provides maternity and paediatric care. Use the main entrance for maternity directions unless you have emergency instructions.
| Maternity or children’s area | Location or access note |
|---|---|
| Birthing Unit | Enter the main entrance and go to Level 1 via the lifts on your right. |
| Maternity outpatient clinics | Located on the Ground Floor. |
| Maternity ward | Level 4, Ward 4A. |
| Children and adolescents ward | Level 4, Ward 4B. |
| Special Care Unit | Level 1 area listed with ICU, Close Observation Unit, Operating Theatres and Day Procedure Unit. |
| Parents room | Available on the Ground Floor near the main entrance and in the Emergency Department. |
Wards, ICU, admissions, pharmacy and amenities
Wards at Maitland Hospital are on Levels 1, 3 and 4. Patients may move wards, so visitors should check before arriving or ask the Information Desk at the main entrance.
| Hospital area | Location inside Maitland Hospital |
|---|---|
| ICU | Level 1, accessible via lifts from the main entrance. |
| Close Observation Unit | Level 1. |
| Special Care Unit | Level 1. |
| Operating Theatres | Level 1. |
| Day Procedure Unit | Level 1. |
| Ward 3A and Ward 3B | Level 3. |
| Mental Health Unit | Level 3. |
| Ward 4A | Level 4, maternity ward. |
| Ward 4B | Level 4, children and adolescents. |
| Ward 4C and Ward 4D | Level 4. |
| Admissions | Ground Floor near the lifts. |
| Pharmacy | Lower Ground Floor, accessible via the lifts. |
| Paediatric Hospital in the Home and GP after-hours | Ground Floor outpatient area. |
To reach wards, enter through the main entrance, go straight ahead to the lifts on the right, take the lift to the correct level and check in at the staff station when you arrive.
Visiting hours, ward rest period and smoke-free rules
Maitland Hospital operates 24 hours, 7 days, but visiting hours and ward access are separate from hospital operating hours.
| Visitor item | Current hospital information |
|---|---|
| General visiting hours | 8:00am to 8:00pm. |
| Rest period | 1:00pm to 3:00pm. During rest periods, staff return patients to beds and quieten wards. Visitors should leave or remain quiet so patients can rest. |
| Finding a patient | Ask the Information Desk at the main entrance because patients may move wards. |
| Ward check-in | Check in at the staff station when you arrive on the ward. |
| Smoke-free hospital | Maitland Hospital is smoke-free. Smoking is not allowed inside the hospital or on hospital grounds. |
Wheelchair access, hearing loops, accessible toilets and mobility help
Maitland Hospital is listed as wheelchair accessible. Patients and visitors who need mobility help should ask at the Information Desk or speak with ward staff.
| Access need | Hospital detail |
|---|---|
| Wheelchair access | Yes. Ask at the Information Desk or from ward staff if you need wheelchair or mobility assistance. |
| Accessible parking | Available in P3 visitor and staff parking. |
| Concession parking | Available for pension, health care and disability cardholders. |
| Hearing loops | Available at reception for hearing aid users using the t-coil setting. |
| Ground Floor accessible toilets | Accessible toilets, changing rooms and parents room are near the main entrance. Extra toilets are next to the multi-faith room and in the outpatient clinic area. |
| Level 1 to Level 4 toilets | Accessible toilets are available on all levels, with additional facilities on some levels. |
| Emergency Department toilets | Emergency Department includes accessible toilets and a parents room. |
| Seating | Seating is available at all entrances, outpatient areas, the public courtyard and under covered walkways. |
| Waiting areas | Waiting areas are near clinics and wards on Levels 1, 3, 4 and 5. |
Appointment and hospital visit checklist
The most useful documents depend on whether you are attending Emergency, an outpatient clinic, maternity care, GP Access After Hours, day surgery or a ward visit. Use this checklist to avoid delays.
Bring for appointments
- Medicare card
- Photo ID
- Appointment letter, SMS or booking confirmation
- GP or specialist referral if you have one
- Private health insurance details if relevant
- Concession, pension, health care or disability card if relevant
- DVA, workers compensation or accident claim details if relevant
- Current medication list
- Recent x-rays, scans, pathology results or reports if requested
Bring for longer visits
- Glasses, hearing aids, dentures or walking aids
- Phone charger
- Comfortable clothing and footwear
- Snacks or water if allowed and if you may wait
- Parking payment method
- Support person contact details
- List of questions for your doctor, nurse or clinic
Medicare, public hospital costs, parking fees and after-hours billing
Maitland Hospital is a public hospital in NSW. Public hospital care for eligible Medicare patients is generally handled under public hospital arrangements, but costs can differ for private patients, overseas visitors, compensable claims, medicines, parking and services outside the hospital.
| Cost situation | What to check |
|---|---|
| Public hospital care | Ask whether the appointment, test, clinic or admission is covered as a public patient under Medicare arrangements. |
| Private health insurance | Confirm whether you are being treated as a public or private patient and whether any excess, gap, accommodation or medication cost applies. |
| Overseas patient or no Medicare card | Ask about billing, reciprocal health care eligibility or private insurance before non-emergency attendance where possible. |
| Parking | P1 short stay is free for 2 hours. Pay and display is listed at $4 per day. Concession parking is available for pension, health care and disability cardholders. |
| GP Access After Hours | Bulk-billed for Medicare-eligible patients for eligible consultations. Fees may apply for non-Medicare patients or ineligible telehealth consultations. |
| Pathology, imaging or external referral | Ask whether the test or service is covered or whether extra costs may apply. |
Questions to ask before visiting Maitland Hospital
Use this call script to reduce confusion and avoid arriving at the wrong entrance, clinic or ward.
- “Which entrance should I use for my appointment or visit?”
- “Is my clinic in the Ground Floor outpatient area?”
- “Do I need a referral, appointment letter or test results?”
- “Can this appointment be done by telehealth?”
- “Which car park should I use, and will I need more than 2 hours?”
- “Is concession parking available for my card?”
- “Do I use the main entrance or Emergency entrance?”
- “Where is the maternity clinic, Birthing Unit or Ward 4A?”
- “What are the current visiting rules for this ward?”
- “Can I bring a support person, carer or interpreter?”
- “What should I bring for day surgery, admission or GP Access After Hours?”
- “Who should I call if I need results or follow-up after my appointment?”
Official links for Maitland Hospital contact, services and patient help
| Need | Official or useful link |
|---|---|
| Maitland Hospital official service page | NSW Government Maitland Hospital page |
| Emergency waiting times | NSW Health Emergency Department waiting times |
| Healthdirect 24-hour advice | Healthdirect Australia |
| GP Access After Hours | Hunter Primary Care GP Access After Hours |
| New Maitland Hospital development background | Health Infrastructure opening announcement |
| Transport options | Transport NSW trip planner |
Maitland Hospital FAQs
What is the address of Maitland Hospital?
Maitland Hospital is located at 51 Metford Road, Metford NSW 2323, Australia.
What is Maitland Hospital’s phone number?
The main phone number for Maitland Hospital is (02) 4087 1000.
Is Maitland Hospital open 24 hours?
Yes. Maitland Hospital is listed as open 24 hours, 7 days. Business hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm.
Does Maitland Hospital have an Emergency Department?
Yes. Maitland Hospital has a 24-hour Emergency Department. Use the Emergency entrance, not the main entrance. For life-threatening emergencies, call 000.
How do I book an appointment at Maitland Hospital?
Call Maitland Hospital on (02) 4087 1000 to ask about appointment booking. The NSW service listing says no referral is required and to call to book, but some specialist services may still have their own referral or booking rules.
Does Maitland Hospital offer telehealth?
Yes. The NSW Government service listing says virtual care is available at Maitland Hospital. Call the hospital to ask whether your appointment can be done by telehealth.
Where are outpatient clinics at Maitland Hospital?
Outpatient clinics are on the Ground Floor. From the main entrance, go straight, then left at the lifts. Self-check-in kiosks are located in the Ground Floor outpatient area.
How much is parking at Maitland Hospital?
The NSW hospital page lists P1 short stay parking as free for 2 hours and pay-and-display parking as $4 per day. Concession parking is available for pension, health care and disability cardholders.
What are Maitland Hospital visiting hours?
Visiting hours are listed as 8:00am to 8:00pm, with a rest period from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. During the rest period, visitors should leave or remain quiet so patients can rest.
Where is maternity at Maitland Hospital?
For the Birthing Unit, enter the main entrance and go to Level 1 via the lifts on your right. Maternity clinics are on the Ground Floor and the maternity ward is Ward 4A on Level 4.
Source and update note
This patient guide is based on official NSW Government, NSW Health, Health Infrastructure and Hunter Primary Care information for Maitland Hospital contact details, address, parking, services, visitor hours, Emergency Department access, GP Access After Hours, telehealth, directions, wards, maternity, outpatient areas and accessibility support.
Hospital phone numbers, clinic locations, visiting rules, parking fees, GP Access eligibility, service availability and telehealth options can change. Always confirm directly with Maitland Hospital or the relevant service before travelling, cancelling an appointment or making care decisions.
This page is an informational hospital guide only. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment recommendations.