Geelong to get a Labor urgent care clinic

GEELONG will get one of Labor’s 50 urgent care clinics if Labor wins the May 21 federal election

Revealed by Labor about a fortnight ago, the policy would see the urgent care clinics based in existing GP clinics and community health centres and provide bulk-billed services delivered by doctors and nurses.

Corio Labor federal member Richard Marles and Corangamite Labor federal member Libby Coker announced the election commitment for a Geelong urgent care clinic on Tuesday this week.

“Labor’s Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will mean more families will get top quality care from a nurse or a doctor without having to wait in a hospital emergency department,” Mr Marles said.

“These clinics are a key part of Labor’s plan to strengthen Medicare by making it easier to see a doctor.

“Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will take the pressure off emergency departments, so they can concentrate on saving lives.”

Ms Coker said an urgent care clinic in the Geelong region would give people “a vital new option to receive urgent medical care without having to go to the emergency department”.

“This is a great new initiative from Labor.

“We created Medicare and an Albanese Labor Government will strengthen Medicare by providing people with the care they need, when they need it, at no cost.”

Each clinic will differ in size and structure, and the urgent care clinic in the Geelong region will be tailored to meet the needs of the local community.

Under Labor’s plan, which would cost $135 million over four years, patients will only need a Medicare card to use the urgent care clinics, which will be open during extended business hours (at least 8am to 10pm) seven days a week.

The clinics would provide an alternative option for families needing urgent care from a doctor or nurse. This includes treating sprains and broken bones, stitches and glue for cuts, wound care, insect bites, minor ear and eye problems, and minor burns.

Existing GP-led clinics would get a block grant in order to ensure they can open longer, and increase the number of doctors, nurses and allied health staff.

One-off grants would also be provided to improve equipment and facilities, such as X-ray machines.