The newly opened Cairns South Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) is seeing between 20-30 patients a day who are seeking urgent care.
Patients visiting the Medicare UCC are presenting with a range of urgent conditions including upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), earache and ear infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs), fractures, pain, rashes and allergic reactions, falls, sore throat, tonsilitis, and conjunctivitis.
Today, Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) and the Federal Government's Senator for the Australian Capital Territory and Minister for Finance, Women and the Public Service the Hon Katy Gallagher, Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services the Hon Stephen Jones MP, and Senator for Queensland Nita Green, came together with State Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt, and representatives Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS), Queensland Ambulance Service, and Balance! Edmonton Family Practice to officially open the Cairns South Medicare UCC.
The Cairns South Medicare UCC offers walk-in care to treat urgent but 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.
NQPHN CEO Sean Rooney said since opening on 19 December, the Cairns South Medicare UCC was helping to reduce the pressure on the emergency department (ED) at the Cairns Hospital.
"The Medicare Urgent Care Clinic has been well received by the community," Mr Rooney said.
"We are pleased to see residents have already been using the Medicare Urgent Care Clinic for its intended purpose and not travelling to the emergency department for urgent non-life-threatening conditions."
The Cairns South Medicare UCC offers bulk billing and patients don't need an appointment or referral to be seen by a highly trained doctor and nurse in a GP setting. However, a patient's usual GP should still be the first point of contact.
Balance! Healthcare Founder and Director Kate Gunn said the Medicare UCC was having a positive impact in the lives of Cairns residents.
"The response from the community has been positive and we saw demand for the clinic from the first day of operation," Ms Gunn said.
"Most patients have heard about the clinic via social media, with some telling us they have been referred to the Cairns South Medicare UCC by their regular GP."
Mr Rooney said NQPHN acknowledged the significant work by the Cairns Urgent Care Clinic team to establish the Medicare UCC during very difficult circumstances caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper and the subsequent flooding.
"The dedication and commitment by staff preparing the service enabled the facility to be established in a very short time frame and available to the community at a time of need," he said.
Robust referral pathways to the Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, local emergency departments, and back to the patient's regular GP, ensure continuity of care and access to care when it is needed.
The Cairns South Medicare UCC is located next to Balance! Edmonton Family Practice at 5b Walker Rd, Edmonton, and is open seven days a week, including public holidays, from 12pm - 8pm weekdays, and 10am - 6pm on weekends. Plans are now under way to extend opening hours.
