The Albanese Government is delivering on its commitment to establish 10 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (Medicare UCCs) in Victoria, making it easier for Victorians to get urgent care when and where they need it.
Following consultation with the Victorian Government, the Commonwealth Government will take over funding for 8 Priority Primary Care Centres (PPCCs) in Victoria, including locations announced during the federal election campaign, and make them Medicare UCCs – providing $47.1 million over 4 years.
Eight of these clinics are already operational in:
- Ballarat
- Frankston
- Geelong
- Heidelberg
- Narre Warren
- Shepparton
- Werribee
- South Melbourne.
In addition to the 8 above, a new clinic will open in Sunbury in June and an expression of interest (EOI) process will open on for a new clinic in inner Melbourne through the PHN commencing the week of the 22nd of May.
The 8 operational clinics are already helping to reduce pressure on busy emergency departments in Victoria
Patient survey data in Victoria shows that over 50% of patients would have attended an emergency department if these clinics were not available.
The Medicare UCCs will be bulk billed services and open for extended hours, 7 days a week.
No appointment is required, care is provided by highly trained doctors and nurses, and all patients needs is their Medicare card.
This joint initiative is an important step in strengthening Medicare and ensuring that these clinics are funded to deliver timely and affordable medical care for Victorians.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
“Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will allow families in Victoria to get top-quality care from a nurse or a doctor without having to wait in a hospital emergency department.
“Medicare UCCs are just one of the ways the Albanese Government is ensuring every Australian gets the care they need, and deserve, in a timely and affordable way.
“We’ve worked closely with the Victorian Government to ensure the Medicare UCCs are integrated with the existing PPCCs and the needs of communities across the state.”
Quotes attributable to Minister Thomas:
“Our PPCCs have already diverted thousands of Victorians from busy emergency departments – making sure our doctors and nurses can care for the sickest patients.
“We will continue to work with the Commonwealth Government, so these clinics can continue to deliver Victorians the non-emergency care they need, when they need it, close to home.”
