Although some urgent-care-style clinics already existed in various states and territories across Australia, the first Medicare Urgent Care Clinics under the Australian Government’s national program began operating in June 2023.
Key Points
- Dr Earl Pantillano, a Filipino-Australian GP in the Gold Coast, Queensland.
- All non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses can be assessed at an Urgent Care Clinic.
- By 2025–2026, there will be around 137 public Medicare Urgent Care Clinics in Australia, while hundreds of private Urgent Care Clinics also exist across the country.
- The aim of these is to reduce overcrowding of patients in hospitals and emergency departments.
If you have a non-life-threatening injury or illness such as a sprain, minor burns, or fever, you can go to an Urgent Care Clinic when a GP is not available. However, if you are unsure or it may be a medical emergency, call an ambulance immediately on triple zero (000).Dr Earl Pantillano, Gold Coast-based GP
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