An Expression of Interest (EOI) for 14 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (Medicare UCCs) locations across metropolitan and regional New South Wales will open on 2 March 2023, including two on the Central Coast.
The 14 Medicare UCCs will provide bulk billed treatment for urgent but non-life-threatening emergencies. They will be open extended hours, seven days a week.
Category 4 and 5 presentations, non-life-threatening emergencies, make up just over 50 per cent of the total presentations to hospitals in New South Wales.
The Medicare UCCs will help patients get timely, high-quality healthcare while easing pressuring on New South Wales hospitals.
In consultation with the NSW Government, we have extended the UCCs to include Campbelltown as an additional location.
Medicare UCCs will be established in
- Albury
- Batemans Bay
- Blacktown
- Campbelltown
- Cessnock
- Coffs Harbour
- Central Coast
- Lismore
- Penrith
- Randwick
- Tamworth
- Westmead
- Wollongong
The EOI will be run by the relevant NSW Primary Health Networks from 2 March 2023, with submissions closing on 12 April 2023.
The EOI is open to existing general practices, community health centres and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services. Providers who have applied in previous Expression of Interest processes in New South Wales do not need to re-apply but should engage with the relevant Primary Health Network.
The Albanese Government will continue to work closely with the NSW Government and NSW Primary Health Networks to deliver the state’s Medicare UCCs.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
“Our Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will allow families in New South Wales to get top-quality care from a nurse or a doctor without having to wait in a hospital emergency department.
“Just over half of all presentations to emergency departments in NSWs are for non-life-threatening conditions, and that’s where Medicare UCCs will be so valuable.
“Medicare UCCs are just one way the Albanese Government is strengthening Medicare and ensuring Australians get the medical care they need when they need it.
Quotes attributable to Dr Gordon Reid MP:
“As an emergency doctor practising in hospitals on the Central Coast, I know how important these Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will be for people accessing healthcare”, Dr Reid said.
“Too many people on the Coast are unable to see a GP. Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will improve access to doctors that will bulk bill”, Dr Reid said.
“I’ve been fighting to make it easier for the people on the Central Coast to access high quality healthcare, where and when they need it”, Dr Reid said.
“This will help to take the pressure off both Wyong and Gosford emergency departments”, Dr Reid said.
“Our government is delivering on our promise to establish two Urgent Care Clinics in the Central Coast”, Dr Reid said.
ENDS
