The opening of a Medicare urgent care clinic would take pressure off the emergency department at Campbelltown Hospital, says federal MP Anne Stanley.
The member for Werriwa, along with the member for Macarthur, Dr Mike Freelander, pictured above, have welcomed plans for 14 Medicare urgent care clinic across NSW.
The clinics will be open extended hours seven days a week and provide bulk billed treatment for urgent but non-life-threatening emergencies.
Category 4 and 5 presentations, non-life-threatening emergencies, make up just over 50 per cent of the total presentations to hospitals in NSW.
“I’ve been fighting to make it easier for the people of Werriwa to access high quality healthcare, where and when they need it,” Ms Stanley said.
Dr Freelander said that investing in local healthcare services is a must.
“I welcome the Minister’s announcement, as this initiative will provide additional, high quality healthcare services to the Macarthur region,’’ he said.
“This is important given the significant population increase our region has experienced, and I will continue to work with the minister for health to secure further healthcare investments for Macarthur residents.”
Campbelltown was added to the list of clinics to be opened after the intervention of the two local MPs.
They are now urging health providers to submit an expression of interest to the NSW Primary Health Network by April 12.
The expression of interest is open to existing general practices, community health centres and Aboriginal community controlled health services.
Providers who have applied in previous expression of interest processes in NSW do not need to re-apply but should engage with the relevant Primary Health Network.
“Our Medicare urgent care clinics will allow families in NSW to get top-quality care from a nurse or a doctor without having to wait in a hospital emergency department,’’ says health minister Mark Butler.
“These clinics are just one way the Albanese Government is strengthening Medicare and ensuring Australians get the medical care they need when they need it.”
