A provider for the Joondalup Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (Medicare UCC) has been selected, following an Expression of Interest process. This is the third provider announcement for Medicare UCCs in WA.
The Ocean Keys Family Practice in Clarkson will be established as a Medicare UCC to support the northern suburbs community.
The Joondalup UCC will deliver on the Australian Government's commitment to make it easier for West Australians to get the urgent treatment they need - from highly qualified doctors and nurses - while taking pressure off the Joondalup Health Campus.
The Medicare UCC will be open for extended hours, seven days a week, and offer walk-in care that is fully bulk billed.
Over 40% of presentations to the Joondalup Health Campus are for non-urgent or semi-urgent care.
The Ocean Keys Family Practice in Clarkson joins Rudloc Road Medical & Dental in Morley and Rockingham Medical and Dental Centre as local sites for Medicare UCCs in Western Australia. In total, there will be seven Medicare UCCs in WA.
The Australian Government will continue to work closely with the WA Government and WA Primary Health Alliance to deliver the remaining Medicare UCCs, all of which will open this year.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
"The Medicare UCC is going to make a big difference to patients across the northern suburbs of Perth.
"Patients will be able to walk in, see a doctor or nurse and access imaging and pathology services.
"The clinic will ease pressure on the Joondalup Health Campus, allowing them to concentrate on higher priority emergencies."
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister Ged Kearney:
"I've heard from people in right here in Perth how difficult it can be to access medical care when they have a pressing health concern, but they can't get in to see a GP.
"Most people in this situation end up in the emergency department, and can wait hours to see a doctor, get stitches, or an X-ray.
"Our Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are an important missing link in the health system - giving people timely access to care and reducing pressure on the hospital system.
"The new Medicare UCC in the northern suburbs will fill this gap and divert people away from the local hospital."
Quotes attributable to Tracey Roberts Member for Pearce:
"The urgent care clinic located in Clarkson will provide convenient medical care that is close to home and free under Medicare, for families in our fast-growing outer metropolitan northern suburbs.
"I know many families who have had to wait long hours to receive medical treatment for non-life-threatening issues, at the Joondalup Health Campus emergency department.
"This UCC will ease pressure on our local emergency department and will be easier to access for our community, especially the many young families and ageing residents who will benefit from a service that is closer to home, and can be used at short notice."
