The new Mackay Medicare Urgent Care Clinic has been officially opened by the Hon Emma McBride, Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health, and Senator the Hon Nita Green, Assistant Minister for Northern Australia, today.
The clinic is now treating patients with urgent, non-life-threatening conditions.
Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) welcomed the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s (DHDA’s) announcement of a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Mackay – and is pleased to work with Bupa to operate the clinic at Eastbrooke Ambrose Family Medical.
The clinic is located at 11-13 Peel Street, Mackay, and is open from 8am-10pm, seven days a week, including public holidays.
NQPHN CEO Ben Tooth said following extensive consultation with local workforce and the community, a comprehensive tender was undertaken.
“This is great news for residents as there was a clear need for a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Mackay,” Mr Tooth said.
“The clinic will help increase urgent care access and availability for the growing population of Mackay and the greater Mackay-Whitsunday region.
“It offers walk-in, bulk-billed 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.”
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.