The Albanese Government is partnering with the Malinauskas Government to deliver for South Australians, today announcing the providers for four Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (Medicare UCCs).
Following an Expression of Interest process the four clinics will be:
- Marion Domain Medical and Dental Centre will be established as the Marion Medicare UCC
- Old Port Road Medical and Dental Centre will be established as the Western Medicare UCC
- Elizabeth Medical and Dental Centre will be established as the Elizabeth Medicare UCC
- Mount Gambier Family Health will be established as the Mount Gambier Medicare UCC.
A fifth Medicare UCC, that will be established in the outer southern suburbs, is in final contract negotiations with an announcement to be made soon.
The South Australian Medicare UCCs will deliver on the Albanese Government’s commitment to make it easier for people in South Australia to get the urgent treatment they need – from highly qualified doctors and nurses – while taking pressure off the local hospitals.
The Medicare UCCs will be open extended hours, seven days a week and offer walk-in care that is fully bulk‑billed.
Over 40 per cent of presentations to South Australian hospitals are for non‑urgent or semi-urgent care.
The South Australian Medicare UCCs are expected to begin opening from October 2023, with all to be open by the end of the year.
The Albanese Government will continue to work closely with Adelaide Primary Health Network, the Country South Australia Primary Health Network and the South Australian Government to support the establishment of these Medicare UCCs.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:
“We’re delivering 58 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics across Australia – just like we promised at the election.
“These clinics mean South Australians who need urgent but not acute care, can get it quickly even if it’s outside standard hours – and all they’ll need is their Medicare card.
“We’re committed to strengthening Medicare and making it easier and cheaper to get quality healthcare, by tripling the bulk billing incentive and making medicines cheaper.”
Premier of South Australia, Peter Malinauskas said:
“We know South Australian hospitals, like those across the country, are under significant pressure, and the struggle to get access to GPs is playing a huge part in that.
“The South Australia Medicare UCCs will help take that pressure off, by providing a service that bridges the gap between the day-to-day health care of general practice and acute care of hospitals.
“With this partnership between the Australian and South Australian governments, we are ensuring South Australians have better access to affordable urgent care when they need it.”
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler said:
“We went to the election promising urgent care clinics for South Australia and we are now delivering them.
“The five South Australian Medicare UCCs will make a big difference to patients who will be able to walk in seven days a week and get free urgent care from a nurse or a doctor.
“The clinics will ease pressure on South Australian Hospitals, so that our hard-working doctors and nurses can focus on higher priority emergencies.”
South Australian Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Chris Picton said:
“Being able to get free care at a UCC for urgent, but not life-threatening concerns, will be welcomed by many families and help to reduce pressure on emergency departments.
“Importantly, centres operating extended hours will be very convenient for families and helpful for the health system more broadly.
“I thank the Albanese Government for its investments in these centres, as well as its upcoming increase in bulk billing incentives for targeted groups.