From Wednesday 26 July, people in Wollongong will have access to fully bulk billed urgent care, with a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (Medicare UCC) opening at the Corrimal Medical and Dental Centre on Underwood Street.
The clinic will be open extended hours, seven days a week, easing pressure on Wollongong Hospital. Highly trained doctors and nurses will provide care, with no need for an appointment.
The Wollongong clinic is one of the 14 Medicare UCCs across New South Wales - located in Albury, Batemans Bay, Blacktown, Campbelltown, Cessnock, Coffs Harbour, Gosford, Lismore, Penrith, Randwick, Tamworth, Westmead and Wyong.
Almost half of all presentations to New South Wales hospital emergency departments and 40 per cent of presentations at Wollongong Hospital emergency are for semi- and non-urgent conditions.
The Wollongong Medicare UCC delivers on the Albanese Government's commitment to make it easier for the community to get the urgent treatment they need while taking pressure off hospitals.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
"The Wollongong Medicare UCC will make a big difference to patients, and enable families to walk in and receive convenient, high-quality care from a nurse or a doctor.
"We've worked closely with the South Eastern New South Wales Primary Health Network and New South Wales Government to ensure the Medicare UCCs align with local health services and the needs of communities across the state.
"The Wollongong Medicare UCC is just another way the Government is strengthening Medicare and making it easier to see a doctor."
Quotes attributable to Alison Byrnes, Member for Cunningham:
"The Wollongong Medicare UCC will ensure local families can get bulk billed care when they need it, without an appointment.
"When you have a deep cut, or when your child breaks their arm, you can head straight to the clinic rather than spend hours in the Wollongong hospital waiting room.
"The Wollongong Medicare UCC will help take pressure off Wollongong Hospital and its hard-working doctors and nurses, so that they can focus on higher-priority emergencies and life-saving care."
