Holiday service closures

Walk-in centres and Canberra hospital emergency departments will operate as normal over the Christmas and New Year period. Some other services have more restricted opening hours.

ACT Pathology

Several collection centres have different opening hours over this holiday period. For all the details go to ACT Pathology Collection Centre opening hours.

Breastscreen ACT

BreastScreen ACT clinics will be closed from 5pm on 22 December 2023 and will reopen from 2 January 2023.

For bookings or information call 13 20 50.

Canberra Hospital Courtesy Bus

The Courtesy Bus that loops Canberra Hospital campus will not be operating between Monday 25 December and Monday 1 January next year. However, the Courtesy Bus will be operating on Wednesday 27 December because the multistorey carpark is closed to everyone on that day while it undergoes an industrial clean.

Canberra Sexual Health Centre

The centre will be closed from 4.30pm on Friday 22 December and will reopen at 9am on Tuesday 2 January 2024.

For HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) or sexual assault care during this time, please present to the Emergency Department.

For other sexual health concerns, please see your GP, local walk-in centre or call the Sexual Health Centre when they reopen on 5124 2184 to book an appointment.

Central Health Intake

Central Health Intake will be closed from 3.30pm on 22 December and will reopen on 2 January 2024.

Community Health Intake be closed from 3.30pm on 22 December until 2 January 2024, with the exception of 28 and 29 December when the service will operate between 9am – 4pm.

Community Health Centres

Canberra Health Services provides seven Community Health Centres across the ACT offering a range of general and specialist health services to people of all ages. Visit locations and directions to find out more. Or if you don’t know which service or clinic you’re going to, please use our service & clinic finder first.

All Community Health Centres are closed from 23 December until 1 January (inclusive), however, limited services are available at some locations during this period.

Community Nursing

Our Community Care Nursing Service is closed 25 December 2023 with limited services available on public holidays and weekends.

Oral Health Services

City Health Centre will be closed from 19 December and will reopen 8 January 2024.

Belconnen Health Centre will be closed from 23 December, except for an emergency clinic only on 29 and 30 December, and will reopen 2 January 2024.

Gungahlin Health Centre will be closed from 21 December and will reopen 15 January 2024.

Phillip Health Centre will be closed from 22 December and will reopen 2 January 2024.

Tuggeranong Health Centre will be closed from 18 December and will reopen 15 January 2024.

Please note for all emergency treatment the Canberra Hospital Emergency Dental Care is available everyday including all public holidays.

Village Creek Kambah

• 23 and 24 December – open from 11:00am to 12:00pm
• 25 December – closed
• 26 and 27 December – open from 11:00am to 12:00pm
• 28 and 29 December – open 8:30am – 5:00pm
• 30 and 31 December and 01 January – open from 11:00am to 12:00pm.

Maternal and Child Health (MACH) services

Maternal Child and Family Health services are closed on public holidays. The MACH service will be open on 28 and 29 December. Call the Early Parenting Support Line on 5124 1775 for Breastfeeding and MACH support.

For parenting and child health advice on public holidays, you can contact Pregnancy Birth and Baby on 1800 882 436 or healthdirect on 1800 022 222. In a life-threatening emergency call Triple Zero (000).

For more information about our services, please see Maternal Child and Family Health

Mental Health

Access Mental Health provides a 24-hour, 7 days a week telephone screening/assessment and referral service for ACT residents who have a mental illness, their families and their carers.

Access will be available every day of the Christmas and New Year period and will provide referrals to the Home Assessment Acute Response Team, or other services as appropriate.

You can call Access on 1800 629 354 (free call) or 6205 1065, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Acute mental health services at Canberra Hospital and North Canberra Hospital will operate as usual during the Christmas and New Year period.

Find out about other places to get mental health services on our adult mental health page. For child and adolescent-specific services, visit Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service.

Walk-in Centres

Walk-in centres provide free treatment of non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses such as cuts and strains, fractures, and infections. No appointment is needed.

The following centres will be open 7.30am to 10pm every day, including Christmas and New Year’s Day:

• Belconnen
• Tuggeranong
• Gungahlin
• Inner North (Dickson)
• Weston Creek

Note: Children under 1 year old, and people with complex or serious conditions should see their General Practitioner.

Women’s Health Services

Women’s Health Service will be closed from Saturday, 23 December and reopen on Tuesday 2 January 2024.

Antenatal and gynaecology clinics will also be closed during this period.

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