The new Cairns North Medicare Urgent Care Clinic has been officially opened by Senator the Hon Nita Green, Assistant Minister for Northern Australia, and Leichhardt Member of Parliament Matt Smith, today.
The clinic is now treating patients with urgent non-life-threatening conditions that can be managed without a trip to the emergency department but can’t wait for a regular GP appointment.
Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) welcomed the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s (DHDA’s) announcement of a second Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Cairns – and is pleased to work with Partnered Health, which operates Smithfield Central Doctors, to establish the Cairns North Medicare Urgent Care Clinic.
The Cairns North Medicare Urgent Care Clinic is located at Smithfield Central Doctors, 7-11 Mount Milman Drive, Smithfield, and is open from 8am-8pm, seven days a week, including public holidays. From June, the clinic will extend its hours to 8am-10pm daily.
NQPHN Chief Executive Officer Ben Tooth said the Cairns North Medicare Urgent Care Clinic would help increase urgent care access and availability for Cairns’ growing population.
“There is a real need for urgent healthcare services and an additional clinic in Cairns will help people in the northern suburbs get the urgent care they need,” Mr Tooth said.
“Due to its location in the Cairns’ northern beaches area, the clinic will provide easier of access for patients in the northern suburbs and surrounding areas to receive urgent care.
“We undertook extensive planning and consultation with the local workforce and community, and we are proud to work with Smithfield Central Doctors and our local partners to establish a clinic that will support a healthier future for northern Queenslanders.”
Michael Broadbent, Chief Executive Officer of Partnered Health Primary Care, which operates Smithfield Central Doctors, said: “We’re incredibly pleased to bring vital urgent care services to the northern Cairns community.
“This initiative means locals can access timely, high‑quality care closer to home, while also easing pressure on the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service Emergency Department.
“It’s a meaningful step toward improving healthcare accessibility and supporting better outcomes for the region.”
The Cairns North Medicare Urgent Care Clinic will help ease pressure on the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (HHS) emergency department (ED).
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Leena Singh described the new urgent care centre as a positive step forward for healthcare in the Cairns region.
“This Smithfield facility, strategically located to serve the expanding northern Cairns population, represents a smart investment in community health,” Ms Singh said.
“Conditions that are urgent but non-life-threatening – such as suspected fractures from sports injuries, minor eye and ear problems, insect bites, and rashes – can be assessed and treated there without the need for an ED visit, helping contribute to reduced waiting times and better resource allocation across all of our emergency departments.”
An additional Medicare Urgent Care Clinic is now open in Mackay, complementing the existing clinics in Cairns South and Townsville.
Medicare Urgent Care Clinics provide urgent care services for conditions and illnesses that are episodic and not immediately life-threatening, such as gastroenteritis, urinary tract infections (UTIs), minor fractures or sprains, minor eye and ear problems, wounds, and minor burns.
Bupa Medical Director Scott Beattie said Bupa was proud to provide Mackay residents with urgent care services that supported the health and wellbeing of the local community.
“By expanding our network of health services in the area, we are working to reduce the health gap experienced by many residents living in regional Queensland communities compared with those living in major cities,” said Mr Beattie.
“The Federal Government should be commended for the expansion of Medicare Urgent Care Clinics in regional Queensland to provide easier access to vital healthcare and reducing pressure on hospital emergency departments.”
The Mackay Medicare Urgent Care Clinic will help ease the pressure on Mackay Base Hospital’s emergency department, while integrating with emergency services and existing general practice care.
Mackay Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Sean Birgan welcomed the announcement.
“The Mackay Medicare Urgent Care Clinic will help ease the pressure on the Mackay Base Hospital emergency department and give people more options to access healthcare for conditions that must be attended to quickly, but are not life-threatening,” Mr Birgan said.
“That frees up our emergency department to focus on what it is designed to do, which is to care for patients who are critically ill or injured.”
An additional Medicare Urgent Care Clinic will be established in Cairns North, complementing the existing clinics in Cairns South and Townsville.
Medicare Urgent Care Clinics provide urgent care services for conditions and illnesses that are episodic and not immediately life-threatening, such as fractures, gastroenteritis, urinary tract infections (UTIs), minor fractures or sprains, minor eye and ear problems, wounds, and minor burns.
The Mackay Medicare Urgent Care Clinic can be contacted on 0437 025 427.