The Hervey Bay Medicare UCC will provide care for urgent, but not life-threatening conditions, such as a rash, infection, cut, and sprained ankle. It will be open seven days a week for extended hours with no appointment required.
In 2022–23, more than 40 per cent of presentations to Hervey Bay Hospital were for semi-urgent and non-urgent conditions. This clinic will reduce pressure on the local hospital and help meet the needs of the community.
The new clinic in Hervey Bay will be in addition to the state’s existing Medicare Urgent Care Clinics in Bundaberg, Cairns South, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Logan (Browns Plains), Northside, Murrumba Downs, Rockhampton, South Brisbane, Toowoomba and Townsville.
More funding will also go to supporting Medicare UCCs in regional, rural and remote areas, to further support staffing across extended hours.
There have been more than 36,500 presentations to the Queensland Medicare Urgent Care Clinics.
In Queensland, 30% of all visits so far have taken place on a weekend, and 1 in 4 after 5pm on a weekday.
Hervey Bay was selected as a location for a new Medicare UCC in consultation with the Queensland Government.
An Expression of Interest process will open shortly to identify a suitable provider for the Hervey Bay Medicare UCC. The service will be commissioned by the Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast Primary Health Network.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
“The Albanese Government is committed to strengthening Medicare so that all Australians can access affordable care close to home.
“Hervey Bay and Fraser Coast residents will be able to access fully bulk billed urgent care without needing an appointment, reducing pressure on the Hervey Bay Hospital.”
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister, Emma McBride:
“The Hervey Bay Medicare Urgent Care Clinic will deliver bulk billed urgent care for locals and reduce pressure on the Hervey Bay Hospital.
“Since the first Medicare Urgent Care Clinic opened its doors in June last year there has been more than 500,000 visits across the country.”
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister Chisholm:
“These new Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will make a real difference for people living in Hervey Bay and Fraser Coast.
“Instead of waiting for a non-life-threatening issue at an emergency department, Queenslanders can now receive treatment at these walk-in clinics, with no out of pocket costs.
“As our state’s outer suburbs and regions continue to grow, that means more demand on local hospitals. We’re committed to delivering the health services that Queensland needs to improve waiting times and protect lives.
“This is another example of the Albanese Government delivering for Queensland’s rapidly growing areas.”
Quotes attributable to Queensland Minister Fentiman:
“I’m thrilled for the Hervey Bay community who will soon have access to this free healthcare.
“We know how much of gamechanger these clinics have been for families around Queensland.
“They’re a great tool for keeping pressure off our busy hospitals and delivering the urgent care Queenslanders need.
“Together with our satellite hospitals and nurse-led clinics, we’re delivering the services Queenslanders need, closer to home."
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