Brisbane South PHN welcomes federal government announcement of a new Medicare Urgent Care Clinic for the region

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Last updated 18 July 2024
Brisbane South PHN welcomes federal government announcement of a new Medicare Urgent Care Clinic for the region

Brisbane South PHN welcomes the federal government’s announcement of a new Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) in the Inala area, south-west of Brisbane. The new clinic will operate for extended hours, 7 days a week, to provide bulk-billed episodic care and treatment of urgent conditions when presentation to a hospital emergency department is not required.

The location of the new Medicare UCC was chosen in consultation with the Queensland Government to help meet the needs of local communities and ease pressure on the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Hospital Emergency Department.

The new Medicare UCC is expected to open in south-western Brisbane later this year, bringing the total number of Medicare UCCs serving the Brisbane South PHN region to 3. It joins the Logan (Browns Plains) Medicare UCC and the South Brisbane Medicare UCC, both opened in late 2023.

‘This announcement is a major win for our community. The new Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will provide much-needed relief to our local hospitals and improve access to timely, quality healthcare,’ said CEO of Brisbane South PHN, Michael Bosel.

‘By offering extended hours, Medicare Urgent Care Clinics ensure that more people receive the care they need when their condition can’t wait for a regular appointment with a GP.’

Brisbane South PHN’s General Manager of System Integration and Coordination, Laura Casey, added, ‘We’re excited to see a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic coming to the Inala area. This initiative will not only help ease the high demand on our hospital emergency departments, but also bring essential medical services closer to the people who need them most.’

‘It’s a significant step in enhancing healthcare access and outcomes for our multicultural communities,’ she said.

Brisbane South PHN is working closely with the Department of Health and Aged Care to facilitate an application process in the coming weeks, where local general practices can express their interest in applying to operate the new Medicare UCC. Please stay tuned to our channels for updates on the application process.

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