New Medicare clinics

for the Central Coast

An Expression of Interest (EOI) for 14 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (Medicare UCCs) locations across metropolitan and regional New South Wales, including two Central Coast clinics, opened on Thursday 2 March 2023.

3 March 2023

 

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.

 

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.

 

“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," said Minister for Health Mark Butler.

 

“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.”

 

Member for Robertson, Dr Gordon Reid said “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.”

 

“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.

 

“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.

 

“This will help to take the pressure off both Wyong and Gosford emergency departments.

 

“Our government is delivering on our promise to establish two Urgent Care Clinics in the Central Coast."

 

Minister Butler said “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.”

 

Member for Dobell and Assistant Minister Emma McBride said that the Medicare Clinics were front of mind for the Government.

 

"Right after the election, we announced that the whole of the Central Coast was now a distribution priority area, and I know that's just another step, but it means that local general practices can recruit from a wider range, a bigger pool of doctors," said Asiistant Minister McBride.

 

"So an existing general practice, a community health centre, an Aboriginal community controlled health service, are all invited to express an interest in becoming a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic.

 

"These clinics will mean that someone will be able to walk in without an appointment and be bulk billed rather than having to end up in the emergency department.

 

"It's never been harder to get into a GP, there books are closed. People are waiting weeks for routine appointments and ending up in Wyong Hospital, where I used to work. It's not good for them or their wellbeing and it's not good for our hospital system or for the economy."