From today, 19 December, residents in Cairns will now have access to free bulk-billed urgent care, with the opening of the Cairns South Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) next to Balance! Edmonton Family Practice.

Located at 5b Walker Rd, Edmonton, the Cairns South Medicare UCC will open seven days a week (including public holidays) and for the first month, will open:

• Monday - Friday: 12pm – 8pm
• Saturday and Sunday: 10am – 6pm
• Christmas Day and Boxing Day: 3pm - 8pm

Hours will be extended after this period.

The clinic offers walk-in care to treat urgent non-life-threatening conditions that can be managed without a trip to the emergency department but cannot wait for a regular appointment with a GP.

Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) CEO Sean Rooney said the Cairns South Medicare UCC would make it easier for the community to access timely health care for urgent, but not life-threatening, conditions.

“Today’s opening of the Cairns South Medicare Urgent Care Clinic will make a positive difference in the lives of the people of North Queensland,” Mr Rooney said.

“The clinic will help to reduce pressure on the Cairns Hospital emergency department (ED) and bridge the gap between general practitioner care and the emergency department for people in the region.”

Balance! Healthcare Founder and Director Kate Gunn said the Cairns South Medicare Urgent Care Clinic would provide urgent care for residents.

“The clinic is open from today onwards and our team is able to provide care for urgent health conditions, including minor fractures, wounds, minor burns, infections, and illnesses such as urinary tract infections (UTI) and gastroenteritis,” Ms Gunn said.

“Patients can walk in without an appointment or referral and be seen by a highly trained doctor or nurse in a GP setting – no need to wait in a hospital emergency department.”

Balance! Edmonton Family Practice was selected to establish the Cairns South Medicare UCC following a rigorous select tender process.

From today, 18 December 2023, residents in Townsville will now have access to free bulk-billed urgent care, with the opening of the Townsville Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) at Eastbrooke Family Clinic.

Located at 86 Thuringowa Drive, Thuringowa Central, the Townsville Medicare UCC is open 11am-9pm every day, including weekends and public holidays.

The clinic offers walk-in care to treat urgent non-life-threatening conditions that can be managed without a trip to the emergency department but cannot wait for a regular appointment with a GP.

Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) CEO Sean Rooney said the Townsville Medicare UCC would make it easier for the community to access timely health care.

“Today’s opening of the Townsville Medicare Urgent Care Clinic will make a positive impact in the lives of the people of North Queensland,” Mr Rooney said.

“The clinic will help to reduce pressure on the Townsville University Hospital’s emergency department (ED) and bridge the gap between general practitioner care and the emergency department for people in the region.”

Director of Eastbrooke Medical Centres Andrew de Picot said the Townsville Medicare Urgent Care Clinic was now providing urgent care for residents.

“The clinic will now provide free bulk-billed care for urgent health conditions, such as minor fractures, sprains and sports injuries, wounds, minor burns, infections, and illnesses like urinary tract infections (UTI) and gastroenteritis,” Mr de Picot said.

“Patients can walk-in without an appointment or referral and be seen by a highly trained doctor and nurse in a GP setting – no need to wait in a hospital emergency department.”

Eastbrooke Family Clinic was selected to establish the Townsville Medicare UCC following a rigorous select tender process.

Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN), together with the Federal Government, is pleased to announce that Balance! Edmonton Family Practice will establish the Cairns South Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) and intends to start seeing patients from tomorrow, 19 December 2023.

The Cairns South Medicare UCC will be located next to Balance! Edmonton Family Practice at 5b Walker Rd, Edmonton, and will be open seven days a week, including public holidays.

For the first month, the Cairns South Medicare UCC will open:

• Monday - Friday: 12pm – 8pm
• Saturday and Sunday: 10am – 6pm
• Christmas Day and Boxing Day: 3pm – 8pm

Hours will be extended after this period.

Residents impacted by the effects of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper and floods, and who may require urgent care, will be able to visit the Cairns South Medicare Urgent Care Clinic.

It will be bulk-billed and offer walk-in care to treat urgent non-life-threatening conditions that can be managed without a trip to the emergency department but cannot wait for a regular appointment with a GP.

The Cairns South Medicare UCC will help ease pressure on the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (HHS) emergency department (ED) by treating urgent conditions such as minor infections and cuts, basic fractures, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and gastroenteritis. The Cairns South Medicare UCC will have agreed referral pathways with the Cairns Hospital so that if patients of the clinic deteriorate, they can be transferred to the Cairns Hospital ED.

NQPHN welcomed the Department of Health and Aged Care’s announcement earlier this year that, of the 58 Medicare UCCs across Australia, one would be in Cairns. Eleven Medicare UCCs are currently being rolled out in Queensland, including another northern Queensland clinic in Townsville.

NQPHN CEO Sean Rooney said NQPHN had worked with local service providers and the Cairns and Hinterland HHS to localise the national initiative.

“We know there is a real need for an urgent care clinic in Cairns and it is our priority to make sure residents have access to the primary health care they need, while also reducing pressure on the hospital’s emergency department,” Mr Rooney said.

Balance! Edmonton Family Practice was selected as the lead provider following a rigorous select tender process and is well equipped to meet the urgent health care needs of residents in Cairns, especially for the growing southern suburbs and surrounding communities where extended-hours health care is limited.

Mr Rooney said extensive planning and codesign had been undertaken prior to tender release to ensure the Cairns South Medicare Urgent Care Clinic would seamlessly integrate with emergency services and existing general practice care resulting in a clinic that can deliver high-quality, safe urgent care services ideally suited to the needs of the Cairns community.

“Robust referral pathways to the Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, local emergency departments and back to the patient's regular GP, will also ensure continuity of care and access to care when it is needed,” he said.

Balance! Healthcare Founder and Director Kate Gunn said the Cairns South Medicare UCC would assist with timely access to care, reduced burden on emergency services, and healthier outcomes for patients.

“This Cairns South Medicare Urgent Care Clinic represents a critical safety net for our region, filling the gap between primary care and the emergency room and providing peace of mind to our community members,” Ms Gunn said.

“Our team feels a profound sense of purpose and responsibility in establishing the Cairns South Medicare Urgent Care Clinic. It's a heartfelt commitment to the wellbeing of every individual who calls Cairns home, especially in the southern corridor.”

Balance! Edmonton Family Practice Indigenous Health Practitioner Chloe Sellwood said the Cairns South Medicare UCC will help to address the urgent heath care needs of our Indigenous community and will provide accessible, timely, and culturally appropriate care.

While Balance! Edmonton Family Practice Nurse Practitioner Margaret Stewart said patients would be able to walk-in without an appointment or referral and be seen by a highly trained doctor or nurse in a GP setting – no need to wait in a hospital ED.

NQPHN adopted a three-phased approach, collaborating with the Cairns and Hinterland HHS, Queensland Ambulance Service, and local service providers, to localise, plan, and implement the Cairns South Medicare UCC, which will complement existing health services.