The doctor was incredibly kind and attentive
About Us
- Care 24-7 is Australia’s leading provider of specialist-led, private hospital emergency departments, delivering fast, expert care to you and your family at your time of greatest need.
- You can come to our emergency departments 24-hours a day, every day of the year, including public holidays.
- An out-of-pocket fee means that you will experience a minimal wait time before you see an experienced senior emergency specialist at Calvary Adelaide Emergency Department in South Australia, Buderim Private Emergency Centre on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, or Calvary Lenah Valley Emergency Department in Hobart, Tasmania.
- When every minute counts, you can trust Care 24-7’s emergency specialists to provide you and your family with fast, expert, end-to-end treatment: symptom assessment, diagnosis, access to specialists – and hospital admission if required.
- You will notice the restful, calm environment from the moment you arrive, and can expect to be treated with respect and compassion by our expert team.
Dr was very busy yet found time to get us a sandwich
From the moment I entered on a busy day I was treated with the utmost respect
The doctor was extremely kind, listened to me, and communicated with me very well
Very responsive and empathetic
Great communication & made me feel at ease
The doctor was very caring and absolutely lovely he made me feel at ease and was very easy to talk to
I was impressed by the fact that the doctor also performed duties outside his normal role e.g. getting an extra blanket
All staff were very caring . . . cannot thank them all enough
Quick and polite and just wonderful. thank you
The Dr was very professional, considerate and kind as were all of the staff
The staff, the service, the environment were absolutely fantastic
Care 24-7 partners with private hospitals to provide excellent Emergency Department (ED) medical care to people at their time of need, making a difference to the communities we serve one patient, one family at a time.
We are privately owned, not government funded, and provide specialist emergency services to adults and children 24 hrs, 7 days a week, including public holidays.
We currently operate:
- Calvary Adelaide Hospital Emergency Department (Adelaide, South Australia), since 2021
- Buderim Private Hospital Emergency Centre (Sunshine Coast, Queensland), since 2018
- Calvary Lenah Valley Hospital Emergency Department (Hobart, Tasmania), since 2024
Our care and service approach is underpinned by three guiding principles:
- Concerned guardians: When every minute counts, Care 24-7’s emergency specialists can be relied on to provide you with fast, expert, end-to-end treatment: symptom assessment, diagnosis, access to specialists – and hospital admission when required.
- Empowered experts: Care 24-7’s team of emergency specialists use their expertise and initiative when treating patients, and can quickly access tests, scans and other specialists. It means they can provide the highest level of patient care and satisfaction – which is why they chose medicine as their vocation in the first place.
- Trustworthy partners: Care 24-7’s emergency department expertise, its progressive approach to departmental systems, governance and reporting, combined with its collaborative relationships, creates better outcomes for patients and for the hospital.
The result? Less waiting, more caring.
Our Values
EMPATHY
We understand that people have a lot going on in their lives. By putting ourselves in their shoes, it means we respond more compassionately.
EXCELLENCE EVERY DAY
We look forward to coming to work, and every day we try to get 1% better, for our patients, our team, and our partners.
Our Leadership Team
Our leadership team is comprised of high performers from diverse backgrounds who are responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of Care 24-7 Pty Ltd.
Dr Sharad Pandit Managing Director
MBBS, FACEM, FACEP, FACHARZT, MBA, GAICDSharad’s first medical qualification was gained in India, after which he studied and worked in Germany, England and the USA, where he gained specialist qualifications in emergency medicine and paediatrics.
He arrived in Australia in 2002 and served at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, before founding Care 24-7 (formerly Adelaide Emergency Physicians) in 2011. He holds an MBA and GAICD (governance) qualifications.
Care 24-7 is a doctor-led business which has grown to three sites across Australia. It is founded on a Sharad’s vision for a patient-centric approach, allied with a strong emphasis on partnering to ensure that the emergency department achieves its potential for the hospital and the local community.
In his spare time Sharad plays tabla and table tennis, a sport in which he holds multiple national titles. He volunteers for the International Table Tennis Federation as an international classifier for Para Table Tennis.
Siegi Schmidmaier
CEO, Care 24-7 Group
MSc, GAICD
Siegi is CEO of the Care 24-7 Group and joined us in May 2024 during an exciting stage of growth for our organisation.
Siegi holds a master’s degree in public health and a Bachelor of Nursing, having started her career as a nurse at the Royal North Shore Hospital Emergency Department in Sydney. She has held senior policy advisory roles for both the Australian Government in Canberra and the Department of Health Victoria and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Most recently, Siegi led Silverchain’s national strategic growth agenda as Executive Director of Strategy and Planning as well as leading the South Australian business operations.
Siegi has a proven track record in business transformation and growth, strategy, and a passion for commercialising medical technology, innovation and change leadership.
Siegi prioritises health and wellbeing and when she gets the chance, you’ll find her outdoors: running, cycling, or skiing. She thinks of herself as a visual creative, enjoys design and art, and is continually reading, listening to podcasts and learning. Siegi lives by the beach with three cats – Comet, Juniper and Pretzel – and husband, Brian.
Sarah Sandley
Marketing, Innovation and Strategy Director
PhD, GAICD
Sarah is a respected business leader with over 25 years of experience in GM, CEO, and governance roles across commercial, not-for-profit, and government sectors. Her career highlights include serving as CEO of APN’s Magazine Group, a dual-listed trans-Tasman business, and founding CEO of Aktive, a start-up in the sport and recreation sector.
Since joining Care 24-7 in 2022, Sarah has established its marketing function, contributing her innovative approach and commitment to health, wellbeing, and community.
In her spare time, she plays table tennis (a sport in which she is a former UK and NZ international representative) and holds multiple national titles. She serves as Deputy President of ITTF-Oceania, Director of TT Australia and she is also a Director of the Australian Refugee Association.
Dr Michael Natale
Medical Director – Buderim and Clinical Governance Committee Chair
HBSC, MBBS, FACEM
Dr Natale is the inaugural Medical Director of the Buderim Emergency Centre, and Chair of Care 24-7’s national Clinical Governance Committee.
He moved from Canada to Australia to undertake his medical training and graduated from the University of Sydney, obtaining his Fellowship with the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine while working in the tertiary Emergency Department at the Canberra Hospital. After holding positions with the Capital Region Retrieval Service and the Canberra Hospital, he moved to Queensland to become the Director at the Nambour General Hospital, later commissioning the tertiary level Sunshine Coast University Hospital ED as the Clinical Director.
He has been recognised by the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine, winning a Leadership Scholarship, and has since undertaken advanced development to hone his skills.
Dr Mohines Pala
Acting Medical Director, Calvary Adelaide Emergency Department
M.B.B.S., FACEM
Dr Pala moved from Fiji to Adelaide, Australia, where he completed his medical training in 1991, graduating from the University of Adelaide with an M.B.B.S., and subsequently obtaining his FACEM qualification in 2003.
With extensive experience in public and private hospitals across South Australia, Dr Pala also currently serves as the SA faculty of ACEM representative to the Australian Resuscitation Council.
Dr Pala volunteers to assists the development of Emergency Medicine in the Fiji Islands, and in his spare time he takes an active interest in tennis, soccer and Indian classical music.
Dr Chris Gavaghan
Medical Director, Calvary Lenah Valley Emergency Department
MBBS, FACEM, CCPU
Dr Gavaghan graduated from the University of New South Wales, completed the training and registrar programme for ACEM and subsequently obtained his Fellowship of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine.
Chris has extensive experience working in primary care, pre-hospital retrieval, secondary and tertiary hospital emergency departments, in both city and country locations across Australia.
He has served as the Medical Director NRAHS Medical Retrieval Service, the Director of Emergency at Lismore Base Hospital and subsequently at Calvary Cairns Hospital, Royal Hobart Hospital before joining Calvary Lenah Valley Emergency Department.
He has an active interest in the application of ultrasound in assisting diagnosis and management and quality in Emergency medicine.
Kelvin Kite
Director of Finance
BSc.(Econ)
Kelvin is a seasoned commercial CFO and former partner with global accounting firms, whose career journey spans the U.K., Monaco, Australia, the U.S.A., Canada, and Aotearoa/New Zealand. He has contributed to diverse industries, including nine years in offshore finance in Monaco, six years as a Partner at BDO in Brisbane, and roles with PWC in Philadelphia and as CFO for non-profit and hospital organisations.
Kelvin holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Wales and certifications in enterprise financial management systems, including SAP and Microsoft. His expertise lies in financial management, business strategy, process improvement, and performance optimisation, honed through his time with leading organisations such as PWC and SAP.
Born in Birmingham and landing in Australia in 1994, Kelvin is a lifelong Birmingham City FC supporter. He lives in Adelaide with his partner Debbie and their Jack Russell, Poppy.
Holly Selfe
Director of Clinical Operations
MSW, BNg
Holly is a healthcare professional with more than 20 years of experience in health and community settings. She holds a Bachelor of Nursing and a Master of Social Work, bringing together a strong foundation in clinical governance, risk management, and client-centred care with a passion for optimising clinical systems.
Holly’s leadership has been pivotal in driving reform and implementing solutions-focused strategies, particularly during her tenure at Disability SA and the Royal District Nursing Service SA, where she led teams to deliver exceptional outcomes in aged care programs.
Married with two adult children, Holly enjoys reading, beach walks with her two Cocker Spaniels, and catching up with friends in her downtime.
Lorni Papworth
Medical Recruitment Consultant
B Ed(Phys.Ed), MRCSA
Lorni leads Care 24-7’s medical recruitment at Calvary Hobart Lenah Valley Emergency Department.
She has more than 15 years of experience recruiting medical practitioners across Australia. She is known for her accessibility, partnership-driven approach, and commitment to providing confident and informed recruitment solutions for healthcare providers.
She holds a Bachelor of Education and embraces continuous learning. Her professional mantra, “You don’t have to be here – you GET to be here,” reflects her passion for her work and life.
Based on the Mornington Peninsula south of Melbourne, Lorni and her husband Mark run a sustainable eco-farm. In a previous working life, she was a professional racehorse breeder and trainer.