Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (UCCs)

The Australian Government is investing in at least 50 Medicare UCCs across all states and territories, to deliver a new model of care to reduce pressure on hospital emergency departments (EDs). Eleven new Medicare UCCs will be established in Queensland, with one in Cairns and one in Townsville.

The Australian and Queensland Governments have determined that Primary Health Networks (PHNs) will commission Medicare UCCs in Queensland. This will require PHNs to work closely with the Australian Government, the Queensland Department of Health, Hospital and Health Services, and local health service providers.

The Medicare UCCs will: 

• be based in existing GP clinics, community health centres, or Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHOs)
• operate extended business hours and accept walk-in patients
• bulk-bill, resulting in no out-of-pocket costs to the patient
• be flexible and diverse, responding to the needs of the local community
• be high quality, safe, and effective
• treat conditions that do not require a hospital admission (i.e. broken bones, wounds, and minor burns).