Tasmania will soon receive three additional Medicare Urgent Care Clinics as part of the federal government’s national expansion program.
The new facilities will be established in Burnie, Kingston and Sorell, with Tasmanian Primary Health Network launching a tender process from August 25 to identify suitable operators.
General practices, community health centres and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services are eligible to apply, with interested providers encouraged to register on Primary Health Tasmania’s TenderLink portal.
The expansion builds on the success of five existing Medicare Urgent Care Clinics already operating across Tasmania, which have now collectively handled more than 100,000 patient presentations.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said the clinics have transformed healthcare delivery in Tasmanian communities, saying they have taken pressure of local hospitals.
“Over 100,000 Tasmanians have visited one of the five Urgent Care Clinics, taking pressure off local hospitals,” Butler said.
“Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are keeping people out of emergency waiting rooms and delivering high quality health care – at no cost to patients – across extended hours and every day of the week.”
The clinics operate seven days a week with extended hours, offering walk-in service with full bulk billing.
Franklin MP Julie Collins said the federal government is committed to strengthening healthcare access.
“Our Government knows that Medicare UCC’s have become a vital part of Tasmania’s health system,” Collins said.
Sorell’s clinic comes after strong community advocacy, according to Rebecca White, Member for Lyons.
“This will save a long drive and wait in the hospital emergency department for things like cuts, burns or breaks,” White said.
Statistics show that one in four visits to Tasmanian Medicare Urgent Care Clinics occur on weekends, while over one-third of weekday visits happen after 5pm.
