Southport hospital visit planner
Gold Coast University Hospital appointments, emergency access, map and parking guide
Gold Coast University Hospital Queensland is a major tertiary teaching hospital in Southport. This guide is written for patients, carers and visitors who need practical details before calling, attending Emergency, changing an outpatient appointment, parking, using public transport, finding the right entrance or preparing for admission.
Use this page to find the GCUH address, switchboard phone, emergency access, 13 HEALTH number, outpatient rules, visitor guidance, parking and concession information, main entrances, Transfer Unit details, medical record contact, map, wayfinding video and official patient links.
For a life-threatening emergency in Australia, call 000. Do not wait for an outpatient appointment or use this guide as emergency medical advice.
CallSwitchboard, 13 HEALTH, clinic number or 000
ConfirmReferral, appointment, ward and entrance
TravelHospital Blvd, Hollows Way, tram, bus or car park
Check inBring Medicare, ID, medicines and results
Quick answer: Gold Coast University Hospital address and contact details
| Hospital name | Gold Coast University Hospital |
|---|---|
| Main address | 1 Hospital Blvd, Southport QLD 4215, Australia |
| Main phone | 1300 744 284 |
| Alternate phone | 07 5687 0000 |
| Emergency | Call 000 in an emergency. Queensland Health Open Hospitals lists Gold Coast University Hospital Emergency Department as open 24 hours, 365 days a year. |
| Non-urgent health advice | Call 13 HEALTH on 13 43 25 84 for registered nurse advice 24 hours a day. |
| Visiting hours | Generally between 10:00am and 8:00pm, but may vary between wards and units. Phone before arriving if the visit is important or long-distance. |
| Official website | Gold Coast University Hospital official page |
| Best first step | For outpatient appointments, use your appointment letter first. If unsure, call the Gold Coast Health Outpatient Department on 1300 744 284 for appointment advice. |
Gold Coast University Hospital map, entrances and wayfinding video
Gold Coast University Hospital is located at 1 Hospital Blvd, Southport QLD 4215. The hospital has separate entry routes for the main clinical entrance, Emergency Department and Transfer Unit, so check your appointment letter or follow hospital signage when you arrive.
Official wayfinding video
This official Gold Coast Health video is useful because it explains Gold Coast University Hospital location, main entry points, building signs, pick-up and drop-off zones, parking, Transfer Unit, public transport and outpatient appointment navigation.
Who to call at Gold Coast University Hospital
Main hospital
Use this for general hospital enquiries, outpatient appointment advice, service transfer or ward direction.
Alternate switchboard
Use this as the alternate phone listed by Gold Coast Health for GCUH.
| Need | Best action | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Life-threatening emergency | Call 000 | Do not call the outpatient clinic first for chest pain, stroke symptoms, severe breathing difficulty, severe bleeding or major trauma. |
| Emergency Department wait information | Use Queensland Health Open Hospitals for current GCUH ED wait-time information. | Wait times update regularly, but your actual wait depends on triage urgency and hospital demand. |
| Outpatient appointment advice | Call 1300 744 284 | Gold Coast Health says to contact the Outpatient Department for advice if you have cough, fever or shortness of breath and may need to reschedule. |
| Unable to attend an appointment | Call the number printed on the front of your appointment letter. | If you do not arrive and do not tell the booking office, you may be taken off the waiting list for surgery or procedure. |
| Change of address or phone | Call the main hospital phone number or the clinic. | Updating details helps prevent missed appointment letters, calls or waitlist messages. |
| Transfer Unit | Call 07 5687 2276 | GCUH Transfer Unit is at Basement Level, C Block, Innovation Drive, Southport QLD 4215. |
| Medical records / privacy | Call 07 5687 3849 or email GC-RTIP@health.qld.gov.au | Right to Information and Privacy is located at Gold Coast University Hospital, 1 Hospital Blvd, Southport QLD 4215. |
| Consumer feedback | Phone 07 5687 2048 or email GCCFS@health.qld.gov.au | Use for compliments, complaints and patient/visitor feedback. |
Emergency Department and urgent access at Gold Coast University Hospital
Call 000 immediately for chest pain, difficulty breathing, stroke signs, severe bleeding, collapse, poisoning, severe allergic reaction, major trauma or any fast-worsening condition.
| Emergency Department status | Queensland Health Open Hospitals lists Gold Coast University Hospital Emergency Department as open 24 hours, 365 days a year. |
|---|---|
| Emergency address | 1 Hospital Blvd, Southport QLD 4215. |
| Emergency entrance | Gold Coast Health says to use Hollows Way off Olsen Avenue for direct Emergency Department drop-off access. |
| How patients are seen | Emergency Department patients are assessed by a triage nurse and treated according to urgency, so the sickest patients are seen first. |
| Children | Gold Coast Health operates emergency departments for adults and children at Gold Coast University Hospital and Robina Hospital. For children under 16, also check the Children’s Emergency information. |
| Non-urgent help | For non-urgent health advice, call 13 HEALTH on 13 43 25 84. |
Tell the triage nurse if you have
- Existing medical conditions or previous health problems
- Current medicines or allergies
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding status
- Recent overseas travel
- Housing, social or support concerns
- Symptoms or pain that worsen while waiting
Outpatient appointments, referrals and booking changes
How specialist appointments start
- Many specialist hospital services require a GP referral before an appointment can be made.
- Your GP decides whether specialist treatment is needed and arranges required medicines or tests.
- Your GP sends a written referral to a specialist doctor at one of the hospitals.
- Depending on urgency, you may be placed on a waitlist for your first outpatient appointment.
- After the appointment, you may also be placed on an elective surgery waitlist if surgery is needed.
Services that do not need a GP referral
- Emergency treatment
- Urgent mental health care
- Sexual health clinics
- Dental health care if you meet eligibility criteria
- Some urgent pathways may use separate clinical processes rather than routine outpatient referral.
Appointment change and attendance rules
| Situation | What to do | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| You are sick before an outpatient appointment | Call the Gold Coast Health Outpatient Department on 1300 744 284 for advice. | You may need to reschedule depending on symptoms such as cough, fever or shortness of breath. |
| You cannot attend an appointment | Contact the number printed on the front of your appointment letter as soon as possible. | If you do not attend and do not advise the booking office, you may be removed from a surgery/procedure waiting list. |
| You changed address or phone number | Contact the main hospital number or your clinic. | Incorrect contact details can cause missed letters, SMS messages or booking calls. |
| Your condition worsens while waiting | Contact your GP, the clinic, 13 HEALTH, or use Emergency/000 if symptoms are serious. | Referral waitlists are not for emergencies. |
| You have a telehealth/video appointment | Check the appointment instructions and test your device, internet, camera and audio beforehand. | Video appointments fail when the link, device or sound is not ready. |
Medicare note: Gold Coast Health says patients with a Medicare card can be treated as a public patient in a Gold Coast Health hospital at no charge by a doctor appointed by the hospital. You can choose public patient treatment even if privately insured.
Hospital services, specialist areas and patient care
Gold Coast University Hospital is described by Gold Coast Health as a leading tertiary teaching hospital delivering specialist services, research, education and training. The official top service areas include Children’s Services, Emergency and Trauma, Medical and Surgical, Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs Services, Women’s and Maternity, and Oral Health.
| Service / area | What patients should know | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency and Trauma | Emergency care operates 24 hours for serious illness or injury. | Use 000 for life-threatening symptoms and Hollows Way for ED drop-off. |
| Children’s Services | Gold Coast Health operates children’s emergency and paediatric care pathways at GCUH and Robina. | For children under 16, check Children’s Emergency details and call 000 if urgent. |
| Medical and Surgical | Specialist medical and surgical services may require referral, pre-admission and waitlist steps. | Referral, appointment letter, fasting instructions, medications and surgical booking details. |
| Women’s and Maternity | GCUH includes maternity services and dedicated maternity ward visitor guidance. | Partner/support person rules, maternity ward hours and birth suite instructions. |
| Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs | Urgent mental health care does not need a GP referral, while other pathways may use referrals or service triage. | Use emergency/000 if immediate safety risk exists. |
| Oral Health | Dental health care may not need GP referral if eligibility criteria are met. | Eligibility, clinic site and appointment route. |
| Intensive Care | Gold Coast Health describes GCUH ICU/HDU as a 21-bed ANZICS Level 3 unit providing tertiary critical care. | Ward-specific visiting and clinical update process. |
| Outpatient Department | Adult outpatient services are provided at GCUH and other Gold Coast Health sites. | Appointment letter, location, clinic contact and whether tests are needed first. |
| Transfer Unit | Patients may wait at the Transfer Unit after discharge or while waiting for transport, transfer, nursing home transport, ambulatory specialist care or imaging transport. | Transport home and discharge medication arrangements. |
| Medical records and privacy | Patients can apply for access to personal information and medical records held by Gold Coast Health. | Use Right to Information and Privacy contact for formal access/amendment questions. |
Main entrances, pick-up, drop-off and wayfinding
| Entry point | Best for | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| Main entrance on Hospital Boulevard | Most clinical services and general hospital entry. | Gold Coast Health says this entrance offers a drop-off zone and is the best entry to access clinical services. |
| Emergency Department on Hollows Way | Emergency Department access. | Use Hollows Way off Olsen Avenue for direct access to the Emergency Department drop-off zone. |
| Transfer Unit on Innovation Drive | Discharge waiting, transfer waiting and patient pick-up/drop-off linked to transport needs. | Located Basement Level, C Block, Innovation Drive. Phone 07 5687 2276. |
| Visitor parking on Hospital Boulevard | Visitor and patient parking. | Commercial rates apply and parking can be limited during busy periods or wet weather. |
| Wayfinding inside hospital | Finding wards, clinics, outpatient areas and services. | Look for information desk staff, volunteers, interactive kiosks, floor/room signs including Braille, and visual art cues. |
Arrival tip: Use your appointment letter first. It should help confirm whether you need the main entrance, Emergency Department, outpatient area, Transfer Unit or another clinic/service location.
Parking, concessional parking and public transport
Parking at GCUH
- Gold Coast Health says a multi-storey undercover parking facility is open 24/7.
- Parking is available on Hospital Boulevard.
- Commercial parking rates apply.
- Parking can be limited during busy periods or wet weather.
- Allow extra time before appointments, procedures and visiting.
Public transport
- Bus and light rail services are located nearby.
- Plan the trip through Translink before travel.
- The Gold Coast University Hospital / Health Precinct transport hub is useful for nearby Southport health buildings.
- Public transport may be easier during peak hospital parking periods.
Concessional parking eligibility
| Eligibility group | GCUH concession rule |
|---|---|
| Pensioner Concession Card, Seniors Health Card or Low Income Health Care Card holders | You may be eligible for concessional parking. |
| Patients attending hospital 2 or more times per week for treatment | Eligibility applies after 7 days. |
| Extended hospital stay | Eligibility applies after 7 days, including intensive/critical care, coronary care, rehabilitation or end-of-life care. |
| Ongoing treatment | Examples include cancer, dialysis or neonatal intensive care carer, via application. |
| Occasional visit | Gold Coast Health says concessional parking is not available for occasional visits that do not meet the criteria. |
Concession rate and how to apply
| Item | Gold Coast University Hospital detail |
|---|---|
| GCUH concession | $5 discount on the total parking fee. |
| How to apply | Complete the application form and submit it to the Ward Clerk, Social Worker or Nurse Unit Manager. |
| After approval | Collect a follow-on ticket at reception and use it at the pay station. |
| Parking office phone | 07 5629 1000 |
| Parking office email | GCHParking@health.qld.gov.au |
Visiting hours and visitor rules
| General visiting hours | Generally between 10:00am and 8:00pm. |
|---|---|
| Ward variation | Visiting hours may vary between wards and units. Phone to ask before arriving. |
| Infection control | Wash hands or use hand sanitiser before entering and exiting wards or units. |
| When not to visit | Do not visit if you have a potentially infectious illness such as coughs, colds or gastro symptoms. |
| Children visiting | Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. |
| Ward authority | The Nurse Unit Manager may ask visitors to leave or restrict visitors during medical/nursing procedures and emergency situations. |
| Special units | ICU, Maternity, Paediatrics and Emergency Department may have specific visiting or support-person rules. |
What to bring for appointments, day surgery and hospital stay
For appointments or day visits
- Appointment letter or prescription book
- Important health documents such as a health passport if relevant
- Medicare card
- Healthcare card, Veterans Affairs card or concession card if applicable
- Test results
- X-rays or scans
- Current medicines, tablets or supplements
- Up-to-date medication list
- Something to do while waiting
For day surgery or overnight stay
- As few personal belongings as possible for day surgery locker storage
- Reading glasses
- Daily medicines
- Night wear and dressing gown for overnight stays
- Appropriate footwear
- Toiletries including toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, comb and soap
- Personal shaving gear, tissues or handkerchiefs if needed
- Bag large enough for belongings and clothes worn on the day
Admission information staff may ask for
- Medical history
- Current address and phone number
- Details of your GP or other treating health professionals
- Next of kin and contact person details
- Medicare number
- Private health cover details
- Current Advance Health Directive or Enduring Power of Attorney copies if applicable
- Need for an interpreter or Indigenous Health worker
Pre-admission, surgery and discharge transport
| Stage | What Gold Coast Health says |
|---|---|
| Pre-admission clinic | If you are booked for an operation, you may be asked to attend a pre-admission clinic 1 to 2 weeks before the operation. |
| Pre-admission assessment | The clinic reviews your health, current/past medical history and what to expect before and after surgery. |
| Who you may see | Anaesthetist, resident medical officer, registered nurse and pharmacist. |
| Before surgery | You may be asked to stop eating and drinking before surgery, including chewing gum, lollies and water. |
| Day surgery escort | If you are a day surgery patient, tell your escort they will receive a phone call when you are ready for discharge. |
| Trip home | Staff can help call a taxi, but you pay your own transport costs unless medically recommended ambulance transport applies. |
| Leaving by ambulance | Even if you arrived by ambulance, you can only leave by ambulance if it is medically recommended. |
| Transfer Unit | Patients can wait at the Transfer Unit for transport home, transfer to another hospital or facility, nursing home transport, specialist ambulatory care, or imaging-related transport. |
Transport plan: Before a procedure, confirm who will take you home, whether they can answer phone calls, and whether they can stay with you if hospital staff advise it.
Medical records, privacy, feedback and support
Accessing medical records
- You can apply for access to personal information held by Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service.
- Gold Coast Health has an administrative access policy to apply for medical records without a formal RTI application in many cases.
- Health professionals requesting records for ongoing care can email GCROI@health.qld.gov.au.
- For formal record access or amendment questions, contact Right to Information and Privacy.
- Phone: 07 5687 3849
- Email: GC-RTIP@health.qld.gov.au
Feedback and complaint contacts
- Consumer Feedback Service phone: 07 5687 2048
- Email: GCCFS@health.qld.gov.au
- Use for compliments, complaints and patient/visitor feedback.
- If the issue is happening now on a ward, ask to speak with the Nurse Unit Manager or staff in charge first.
- Write down dates, ward names, staff roles and reference details when following up.
Interpreter support: Gold Coast Health says a professional interpreter can be engaged so information is communicated by a trained bilingual person who respects confidentiality, is impartial and is accountable.
Questions to ask before visiting Gold Coast University Hospital
For appointments
- “Which entrance should I use: Hospital Boulevard, Hollows Way or Innovation Drive?”
- “Do I need a current GP referral for this specialist appointment?”
- “Is this appointment face-to-face, phone or video/telehealth?”
- “Should I bring x-rays, results, scans, medicines or a medication list?”
- “What number should I call if I cannot attend?”
- “Could I be removed from a waitlist if I miss this appointment?”
For parking, support and discharge
- “How long should I allow for parking and check-in?”
- “Am I eligible for concessional parking?”
- “Can I get a follow-on ticket after concession approval?”
- “Is my ward or clinic close to the main entrance or another entrance?”
- “Do I need an interpreter or Indigenous Health worker?”
- “Should I arrange a taxi, family pick-up or Transfer Unit collection?”
Official links for Gold Coast University Hospital patients
| Need | Official link |
|---|---|
| Main hospital page | Gold Coast University Hospital official page |
| Gold Coast Health contact | Gold Coast Health contact page |
| Emergency departments | Gold Coast Health Emergency Departments |
| Live emergency wait times | Gold Coast University Hospital Open Hospitals wait time page |
| Outpatient appointments | Your outpatient appointment |
| Referrals and bookings | Referrals and bookings |
| Coming to hospital | Coming to hospital |
| Patient pick-up and drop-off | Patient pick-up and drop-off |
| Concessional parking | Concessional parking |
| Medical records | Accessing your medical record |
| Hospital video | Finding your way at Gold Coast University Hospital |
| 13 HEALTH | 13 HEALTH advice line |
Gold Coast University Hospital FAQs
What is the address of Gold Coast University Hospital Queensland?
Gold Coast University Hospital is located at 1 Hospital Blvd, Southport QLD 4215, Australia.
What is the phone number for Gold Coast University Hospital?
The main phone number is 1300 744 284. Gold Coast Health also lists 07 5687 0000 as an alternate phone number.
Does Gold Coast University Hospital have an Emergency Department?
Yes. Queensland Health Open Hospitals lists Gold Coast University Hospital Emergency Department as open 24 hours, 365 days a year. In an emergency, call 000.
Where is the Emergency Department entrance at Gold Coast University Hospital?
Gold Coast Health says to use Hollows Way off Olsen Avenue for direct Emergency Department drop-off access.
What are Gold Coast University Hospital visiting hours?
Visiting hours are generally between 10:00am and 8:00pm, but may vary between wards and units. Phone before arriving to confirm current rules.
How do I change an outpatient appointment at Gold Coast University Hospital?
Use the number printed on your appointment letter. For outpatient appointment advice, Gold Coast Health lists 1300 744 284.
Is parking available at Gold Coast University Hospital?
Yes. Gold Coast Health says a multi-storey undercover parking facility is open 24/7, with visitor parking on Hospital Boulevard. Commercial rates apply and parking may be limited during busy periods or wet weather.
Is concessional parking available at Gold Coast University Hospital?
Yes. Eligible patients and primary carers may receive a $5 discount on the total fee at Gold Coast University Hospital after approval. Eligibility includes some concession card holders, frequent treatment, extended stays, ongoing treatment and neonatal intensive care carer situations.
What should I bring to Gold Coast University Hospital?
Bring your appointment letter or prescription book, Medicare card, concession card if applicable, test results, x-rays or scans, current medicines, medication list, and something to do while waiting.
How can I request medical records from Gold Coast University Hospital?
For Right to Information and Privacy, Gold Coast Health lists phone 07 5687 3849 and email GC-RTIP@health.qld.gov.au at Gold Coast University Hospital, 1 Hospital Blvd, Southport QLD 4215.
Source and update note
This guide is based on official Gold Coast Health and Queensland Health pages for Gold Coast University Hospital contact details, Emergency Department access, visiting hours, outpatient appointments, referrals, parking, concessional parking, public transport, patient pick-up and drop-off, Transfer Unit, patient preparation, medical records and feedback contacts. Hospital phone numbers, ward rules, parking arrangements, clinic processes and service availability can change, so confirm urgent or personal details directly before travelling.
This page is an informational hospital guide only. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment recommendations.