SENATOR KATY GALLAGHER
SENATOR FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

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.

Quotes attributable to Senator Katy Gallagher:

“Canberrans have already embraced nurse-led walk-in centres across Canberra that provide families an alternative to waiting at the Emergency Department for treatment of urgent but non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses.

“Federal Labor’s Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are a key part of our plan to strengthen Medicare by making it easier to see a doctor.

“Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will help to take the pressure off emergency departments, so the focus there can be on saving lives in emergencies.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Bean, David Smith MP:

“This Medicare Urgent Care Clinic on Canberra’s southside is a practical, tangible example of Labor’s commitment to strengthen Medicare and make it easier for families to access care.

“All Canberrans are set to benefit from the services this clinic will provide, and it will also hearten Canberrans to know that clinics like these will make it easier for our busy staff in emergency departments to focus their care on serious medical emergencies.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Fenner, Andrew Leigh MP:

"Real wages have suffered their biggest fall this century, and healthcare costs are part of the problem.

"Being sick shouldn’t make you poor. Only Labor can be trusted to provide the free and universal coverage that families so desperately need."

Quotes attributable to Member for Canberra, Alicia Payne:

“Australians deserve access to the best medical care - including here in Canberra where we have some of the lowest rates of bulk billing in the country.

“This urgent care centre will give Canberrans better access to healthcare and help take the pressure off our emergency departments.”

FRIDAY, 20 MAY 2022