Tender opens for Torquay’s urgent care clinic

THE search to find a healthcare provider to operate Torquay’s new Medicare Urgent Care Clinic has begun.

The clinic, promised to the region ahead of this year’s federal election, will provide free, walk-in urgent care for non-life-threatening conditions with the aim of reducing pressure on University Hospital Geelong.

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler last week announced a tender process for the new clinic is under way.

It will be led by the local Primary Health Network and is open to general practices, community health centres and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.

“The government is getting on with the job of delivering more Medicare Urgent Care Clinics for Victorians,” Mr Butler said.

“These clinics will be open seven days a week, extended hours and most importantly, they’ll be fully bulk billed.”

 

 

Federal member for Corangamite Libby Coker said the tender process for the Torquay Medicare Urgent Care Clinic is an important step towards delivering better health care on the Surf Coast.

“This clinic will mean families in Torquay, Armstrong Creek and across the Surf Coast can access urgent medical care, close to home, without the stress of going to the emergency department.

“The PHN will run the tender process to identify a provider, and I’ll ensure locals are kept updated as we move towards making the clinic a reality.

“Urgent care clinics are much-loved services — we know the Belmont Urgent Care Clinic continues to be a resounding success, and I’m so excited to see that model replicated in Torquay.”

The Torquay clinic, which is expected to open by mid-2026, will join a network of more than 90 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics across the country.

Victoria’s 20 existing clinics have recorded more than 370,000 since the first sites opened in June 2023, with more than a third of these presentations taking place outside standard business hours and one-in-four visits treating a young person under the age of 15.