The Federal Government is getting on with the job of delivering new Medicare Urgent Care Clinics across the country with the Expressions of Interest (EOI) to establish one in the Terrigal catchment now open.
This marks the start of the process to establish 50 new Medicare UCCs announced in the 2025/26 Budget.
Medicare UCCs provide walk-in, bulk-billed treatment for urgent but non-life-threatening emergencies and help reduce pressure on hospitals and emergency departments, allowing them to focus on higher urgency and life-threatening conditions.
Residents of the Hunter and Central Coast region currently have access to bulk billed urgent care at clinics at Lake Haven and Umina Beach.
There have been more than 328,000 visits to the 22 clinics located in NSW.
The five clinics in the Hunter/Central Coast region have seen more than 89,900 presentations since the first clinic opened in October 2023.
The new clinic in the Terrigal area will build on the existing Medicare UCC network and expand walk-in bulk-billed treatment for urgent but non-life-threatening emergencies.
It will be open extended hours, seven days a week.
Health Minister Mark Butler said the clinics were providing free, timely and high quality care to thousands of Australians.
“Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are filling the gap between GPs and hospital emergency departments,” he said.
“They are a key part of the government’s efforts to strengthen Medicare and make health care more accessible and affordable.
“The launch of the EOI process marks the beginning of the next phase in expanding the Medicare UCC, which will see 50 additional clinics established.”
Assistant Minister and Member for Dobell Emma McBride said clinics at Lake Haven and Umina had seen more than 25,000 patients.
“A third local Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in the region will deliver healthcare closer to home for more Coasties,” she said.
Member for Robertson Dr Gordon Reid said the clinics were making a real difference on the Coast, helping ease pressure on emergency departments and making it easier for people to see a bulk billed doctor.
“The Peninsula Medicare Urgent Care Clinic at Umina Beach has seen more than 17,000 patients since opening in 2023,” he said.
“I encourage interested general practices who have capacity to consider applying during the EOI period.”
General practices not yet notified are encouraged to contact the Primary Health Network for more information.
What GP has capacity in the midst of a health crisis? If these centers are functioning by having existing GPs pivot their work into the urgent care clinic and reducing their standard GP availability, what problem is this solving? Also the Umina clinic has not brought Gosford hospital wait times down.
Gosford ED – which receives almost 80,000 presentations each year – has seen a reduction in wait times for non-urgent conditions from 86 minutes to 72 minutes.
The creation of urgent care clinics has provided a pathway for 114,000 NSW patients to receive medical treatment outside of emergency rooms
– Ryan Park (Health Minister)