First of five Medicare urgent care clinics opens in Adelaide
The much-touted first of SA’s five new Medicare urgent care clinics has opened, offering walk-in, bulk billed care to take pressure off hospitals.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
South Australia’s first Medicare urgent care clinic has opened offering walk-in, bulk billed care aiming to take pressure off crowded hospital emergency departments and help “fix” ramping.
The Elizabeth Medicare UCC operated by the Elizabeth Medical and Dental Centre, is open for extended hours, seven days a week.
It is the first of five such clinics to open in SA by the end of the year under a federal government plan for people to get urgent treatment from qualified doctors and nurses while easing strain on hospitals.
Federal officials note more than 25 per cent of presentations to the Lyell McEwin Hospital are for non-urgent or semi-urgent care.
Similar clinics will be established in Western Adelaide, Mount Gambier, Marion and Outer Southern Adelaide, and will all open before the end of the year.
The Elizabeth Medicare UCC is complemented by the federal government’s $10m investment to the state government under the primary care pilot initiative through Healthdirect services.
This will see two new services – a navigation tool to swiftly connect people with new and existing urgent care services, and access to a virtual GP appointment where no other local primary care option is available within an appropriate time.
The initiative aims to divert patients with non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries away from emergency departments to more appropriate care.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said improving access to healthcare across Australia – and especially in regional and rural areas – is a key priority for the federal government.
“The Elizabeth Medicare UCC is going to make a big difference to patients across the Outer Northern Adelaide area,” Mr Butler said
“Local communities will be able to walk in, see a doctor or nurse and access imaging and pathology services. This clinic will ease pressure on the Lyell McEwin Hospital, allowing them to concentrate on higher priority emergencies.
“At the same time, the South Australian primary care pilot will make it easier for South Australians to receive health care where and when they need it.
“The Albanese Government is committed to strengthening Medicare and making it easier and cheaper to get quality healthcare, by tripling the bulk billing incentive and making medicines cheaper.”
State Health Minister Chris Picton noted he personally knew of families who have waited for hours in EDs for treatment for serious but not life-threatening issues.
“The Elizabeth Medicare UCC will mean people in this community who need urgent treatment for non-life-threatening conditions, can get it quickly even if it’s outside standard hours – and all they’ll need is their Medicare card,” Mr Picton said.
“This Medicare UCC and expansion of Healthdirect services will ease pressure on local EDs and be much more convenient for our communities to access health care.”
‘Have to take a day off work’: Heartbroken fans remember Liam
As the world mourns One Direction superstar Liam Payne, we remember his time in Adelaide, including when fans confronted dangerous snakes to get a glimpse of their idol.
‘Tornado-like’: High voltage network damaged as severe storm ravages state
With power towers down, Olympic Dam losing operational power and thousands across the state without electricity, the state is on high alert as a severe storm rolls through.