RESIDENTS in Brisbane’s eastern suburbs and the Redlands now have greater access to bulk-billed urgent healthcare, with the opening of new Medicare Urgent Care Clinics at Carina-Carindale and Capalaba.
The Federal Government says the two clinics will provide walk-in care for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries, helping to ease pressure on local hospital emergency departments.
The Carina-Carindale Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, located at 805 Old Cleveland Rd, is now open seven days a week with extended hours.
The Capalaba clinic, at 2/8 Dollery Rd, opened on December 29.
No appointments are required and all services are bulk billed.
The clinics are staffed by highly trained doctors and nurses who can treat a range of urgent but non-life-threatening conditions, including cuts, viral infections and sprains.
New data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are reducing demand on Queensland hospitals, with non-urgent emergency department presentations down 6.6 per cent and semi-urgent presentations down 3.2 per cent.
The two new sites add to Queensland’s existing network of 19 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, with a further five planned across the State.
Nationally, the Federal Government aims for four out of five Australians to live within a 20-minute drive of a clinic.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said the expansion was delivering tangible benefits for patients and hospitals.
“We’re delivering on our promise to open more Medicare Urgent Care Clinics in Queensland,” he said.
Federal Member for Bonner Kara Cook said the clinics would make a significant difference for families across the electorate.
“These new clinics mean locals can get urgent care quickly and easily, without the stress of long waits or high costs,” she said.
“We’re easing the strain on emergency departments and ensuring people get the right care, close to home. This is about putting patients first.”
