The Hon Mark Butler MP
Minister for Health and Aged Care
Member for Hindmarsh
Anne Stanley MP
Government Whip
Member for Werriwa
Dr Mike Freelander MP
Member for Macarthur
Expression of Interest to Open Medicare Urgent Care Clinics
An Expression of Interest (EOI) for 14 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (Medicare UCCs) locations across metropolitan and regional New South Wales are open now, including one in South-West Sydney.
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 pressure 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
- Gosford
- Lismore
- Penrith
- Randwick
- Tamworth
- Westmead
- Wollongong
- Wyong
The EOI will be run by the relevant NSW Primary Health Networks, 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 member for Werriwa, Ms Anne Stanley MP:
“I’ve been fighting to make it easier for the people of Werriwa to access high quality healthcare, where and when they need it.”
“This will help to take pressure off the Campbelltown Hospital Emergency Department.”
Quotes attributable to member for Macarthur, Dr Mike Freelander MP:
“Investing in local healthcare services is a must and so I welcome the Minister’s announcement, as this initiative will provide additional, high-quality healthcare services to the Macarthur region.”
“This is important given the significant population increase our region has experienced, and I will continue to work with the Minister for Health to secure further healthcare investments for Macarthur residents.”
MEDIA CONTACT:
Anne Stanley MP - (02) 8783 0977
