Andrew Leigh

SENATOR KATY GALLAGHER
LABOR SENATOR FOR THE ACT

ANDREW LEIGH MP
MEMBER FOR FENNER

DAVID SMITH MP
MEMBER FOR BEAN

ALICIA PAYNE MP
MEMBER FOR CANBERRA

MADDY NORTHAM
LABOR CANDIDATE FOR THE SENATE

BETTER HEALTHCARE FOR CANBERRA FAMILIES UNDER A LABOR GOVERNMENT

Under an Albanese Labor Government, Canberra’s families will have increased access to cheaper urgent medical care that they need by providing sick or injured Canberrans a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic as an alternative option to the Emergency Department. 

Labor has committed to 50 Urgent Care Clinics across Australia and the Federal ACT Labor Team has announced that one of these clinics will be established on Canberra’s southside.

It will be the latest addition to the range of health services available in the ACT and provide a space for Canberrans to receive urgent attention from a nurse or doctor without having to go to the Emergency Department for non-life-threatening medical conditions.

Families are already struggling to access emergency care and are under pressure from rising out of pocket costs which only contribute to the strain on household budgets.

Under the Liberals, out of pocket costs to see a GP in the ACT have gone up by 29%.

We know that Canberrans have already embraced similar models of health care in the ACT like the Government’s popular nurse-led walk-in centres.

The Medicare Urgent Care Clinic announced today will add another option for Canberrans to access treatment as part of Medicare. Work will be undertaken with the ACT Government to ensure that the Medicare Urgent Care Clinic integrates with and supports the services available at the walk-in centres.

Care will be bulk billed, meaning families won’t be out-of-pocket for having a loved one attended to, just like if they’d gone to a public hospital.

They’ll be open seven days a week from at least 8am to 10pm – the time when the majority of non-life-threatening injuries occur.

Each clinic will differ in size and structure, and the Urgent Care Clinic on Canberra’s south side will be tailored to meet the needs of the local community.

Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will be located across Australia – in every state and territory.

ENDS

Authorised by Paul Erickson, ALP, Canberra.