MARK BUTLER MP
MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND AGED CARE
MILTON DICK MP
MEMBER FOR OXLEY
GRAHAM PERRETT MP
MEMBER FOR MORETON
GOODNA AND OXLEY MEDICARE URGENT CARE CLINICS OPEN
The Goodna and Oxley Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are now open so more Queenslanders can access free urgent care closer to home.
The Goodna Medicare UCC is located at Goodna Family Medical Centre at 2 Smith Road, Goodna.
The Oxley Medicare UCC is located at Growlife Medical Oxley at 169 Seventeen Mile Rocks Rd, Oxley.
Both offer walk-in care, seven days a week, open extended hours and are equipped to treat a range of urgent, but not life threatening, conditions and injuries. This could include a cut, viral infection, rash or sprained ankle.
Importantly, these clinics are completely bulk billed, meaning more people can access high-quality care quickly, at no cost – all they’ll need is their Medicare card.
The Medicare UCCs deliver on the Australian Government’s commitment to make it easier for people in Queensland to get the urgent treatment they need – from highly qualified doctors and nurses.
They will take pressure off the Ipswich Hospital and Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Hospital, where 23 per cent of presentations were for semi-urgent or non-urgent matters in 2022-23.
The Goodna and Oxley Medicare UCCs join the 13 established clinics in Queensland, including Bundaberg, Cairns South, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Logan (Browns Plains), Morayfield, Murrumba Downs, Northside, Rockhampton, South Brisbane, Southport, Townsville and Toowoomba.
These clinics have seen more than 158,000 presentations to date. More than 1 in 4 of these visits have been children under the age of 15.
During weekdays, over 1 in 4 visits have taken place after 5pm, and more than one in four visits occurred on the weekend.
The final locations and providers of Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are determined through an independent expression of interest process, conducted by the local Primary Health Network (PHN).
This independent process resulted in the successful practices being identified, which are located in Goodna and Oxley respectively. These were the practices who met the funding criteria and importantly will be able to take pressure off the Ipswich Hospital and Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Hospital.
The Albanese Government has delivered $200,000 in grants during this term of Government to general practices in Inala to better service the community’s health needs.
The Government is continuing to work with GPs in Inala on measures to deliver improved health care for residents.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
“These Medicare Urgent Care Clinic is delivering on our promise to Queenslanders to strengthen Medicare.
“Medicare Urgent Care Clinics across the country have been a game changer.
“The Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will take pressure off the local hospitals and give patients another option to access urgent care when they need it.
Quotes attributable to Milton Dick, Member for Oxley:
“Access to good medical health is a top priority for my community.
“The Goodna and Oxley Medicare UCCs will build on the health services already available in this area.
“I know this announcement will be warmly received by residents and I will continue to advocate for additional services in Oxley into 2025.
Quotes attributable to Graham Perrett, Member for Moreton:
“A Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Oxley will give locals the chance to get care sooner and closer to home.
“Being able to see a doctor quickly and getting the care you need early is the best way to avoid further health issues.
“Locals will be able to access bulk billed medical care without having to make an appointment by just using their Medicare card.”
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT:
Lucy Caruso (Butler): 0408 803 428
Natalie van Dartel (Milton Dick): 0418 149 761
Jen McKee (Graham Perrett): 0411 038 795
