The Albanese Government is boosting support for the successful Rockhampton Medicare Urgent Care Clinic so more locals can get quality, walk-in and fully bulk billed care.
Highly trained doctors and nurses provide urgent care, over extended hours, seven days a week at Rockhampton Medicare UCC, located on Yaamba Road in North Rockhampton.
In 2022-23, more than a third of presentations to the Rockhampton Hospital were for non- or semi-urgent care.
Which is why the Medicare UCC is a valuable alternative for so many local families, seeing over 5,000 presentations since opening in December 2023.
Rashes, fevers, cuts, viral infections, and sports injuries are common reasons for a visit.
To support regional, rural and remote clinics to employ medical and nursing professionals the 2024-25 Budget is directing additional funding to Medicare UCCs in these communities - including the Rockhampton clinic.
This investment is part of a broader $227 million package to expand the Medicare Urgent Care Clinics program. This builds on the 58 existing Medicare UCCs that were established in 2023 and will grow the program to 87 clinics nationally.
The 11 existing Medicare UCCs in the Queensland have been warmly welcomed, with more than 56,000 visits across the clinics in Bundaberg, Cairns South, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Logan (Browns Plains), Murrumba Downs, North Brisbane, Rockhampton, South Brisbane, Townsville and Toowoomba.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister, Emma McBride:
"The Rockhampton Medicare Urgent Care Clinic has quickly established itself as a key part of the region's health system.
"Every day, locals are showing up and getting treatment from highly trained doctors and nurses, without having to wait long hours in the emergency department.
"Last week's Budget is building on the early success of Medicare Urgent Care Clinics. We're opening more clinics and directing more money to those in regional areas - like Rockhampton - to support access to urgent care over extended hours."
