Medicare Urgent Care Clinics reach 100,000 episodes of care across the Brisbane South PHN region
Key messages:
6 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (UCCs) are now operating across the Brisbane South PHN region, providing urgent care to around 5,000 patients each month.
The local network of clinics has now delivered 100,000 episodes of urgent care since August 2023.
Medicare UCCs provide bulk billed care for urgent, but not life-threatening, illnesses and injuries that cannot wait for a regular GP appointment.
Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (UCCs) across the Brisbane South PHN region have delivered over 100,000 episodes of patient care since the first local clinic opened, in August 2023. Together, the 6 Medicare UCCs operating in the region provide urgent care to a reported average of 5,000 patients each month, helping to ease pressure on local hospital emergency departments.
Brisbane South PHN Chief Executive Officer Mike Bosel acknowledged the collective effort of Medicare Urgent Care Clinic teams in partnership with local primary and tertiary health services, following the milestone.
‘Reaching 100,000 episodes of urgent care is a significant milestone for the Medicare Urgent Care Clinics operating in our region’, Mr Bosel said.
‘It shows how people are using these services when they need care for urgent, but not life‑threatening, illnesses and injuries, particularly when that care cannot wait for a regular GP appointment.
‘Just as importantly, this milestone recognises the strong partnerships and collaboration behind the scenes between Medicare Urgent Care Clinic teams, local GPs and general practices, hospital emergency departments, Queensland Ambulance Service—all working together—to support people to receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.’
Supporting access to urgent care in the right setting
Medicare UCCs are designed to treat urgent but non-life-threatening conditions such as sprains and fractures, minor infections, respiratory illnesses, gastroenteritis, burns, cuts, stings, rashes and urinary tract infections.
Local patient data shows the region’s Medicare UCCs are becoming an established part of the after hours and urgent care pathway, helping patients access timely treatment in the right setting, reducing the number of non-emergency presentations to hospital emergency departments.
Collectively, the Medicare UCCs are seeing around 5,000 patients each month. More than a third of patients (37%) attend during evenings, weekends and public holidays, highlighting the importance of extended-hours access to care for urgent conditions. Most clinics are open 8 am to 10 pm, while the Capalaba clinic operates 7 am to 9 pm, providing another option for patients when a same or next-day appointment may not be available at their local general practice.
Local patient data also reflects the importance of providing inclusive, culturally responsive care for the region’s diverse communities. Nearly a quarter of patients were recorded as being of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, while 12.5% identify as First Nations people (Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander).
The growing network of Medicare Urgent Care Clinics
The Australian Government’s Medicare UCC program is expected to deliver 137 clinics across Australia over 7 years, including 25 in Queensland. Of these, 6 are now operating in the Brisbane South PHN region.
The Logan (Browns Plains) Medicare UCC was the first to open, followed by the South Brisbane Medicare UCC later in 2023. The local network expanded further with the Oxley clinic opening in late 2024, followed by Capalaba, Carina-Carindale and Coorparoo across late 2025 and early 2026.
As the local network continues to mature, the 100,000-patient care milestone shows that together, the 6 Medicare UCCs are helping to improve access to urgent care, closer to home, for people living and working in the Brisbane South PHN region.
Helpful links for healthcare professionals
See more information about Medicare UCCs in the Brisbane South PHN region on the Brisbane South PHN website.
To explore all available urgent care options for your patients across the wider Brisbane region, visit findcarefast.com.au, or view a range of available after-hours services on our website.