Major milestone for PPCCs

Victorians are continuing to access Priority Primary Care Centres (PPCC) in record numbers, with the State Government marking a huge 250,000 presentations since centres began opening in late 2022.

Coinciding with this milestone, Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas launched the state’s newest PPCC in Melton last week – now one of 29 centres helping to relieve pressure on busy emergency departments, reduce wait times and increase affordable, after-hours care options for more Victorians.

The success of this urgent care alternative has seen an extra four centres open in addition to the initial 25 promised – with the latest centres opening in Warrnambool, Monash Children’s Hospital and inner Melbourne.

Following the progressive opening of PPCCs since September 2022, more than 6,500 people are now receiving care each week, with 40 per cent of these patients, young children.

53 per cent of patients have reported that had a PPCC not been available, they would have otherwise gone to an emergency department for common ailments such as lacerations, fractures, minor burns, tonsillitis, and respiratory tract infections – all conditions that might require urgent attention, but not emergency care.

“More than a quarter of a million Victorians have now been treated at our Priority Primary Care Centres – taking pressure off busy emergency departments and giving people another option for non-emergency care,” Ms Thomas said.

“It remains difficult for many Victorians to access affordable or timely care from a GP – that’s why we have had to step into primary care to ensure people get the treatment and support they need, when they need it.”

PPCCs are also proving a reliable referral option for health care providers with approximately 45 per cent of referrals from GPs, hospital emergency departments, pharmacies, the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department, Maternal and Child Health line, Nurse On Call and Ambulance Victoria.

The State Government has invested more than $90 million to deliver this free service to all Victorians, with or without a Medicare card – more than $20 million was announced in the Victorian Budget 2023/24, with additional investments from the Commonwealth Government.

With too many people unable to secure an appointment with their GP and with bulk-billing doctors now few and far between, PPCCs are delivering Victorians more accessible and affordable care close to home.

If faced with an emergency, people should still call Triple Zero or present to their closest emergency department.

The Melton centre will be open 10am to 8pm, seven days a week, with hours increasing further from mid-January. For further information, please visit betterhealth.vic.gov.au/priority-primary-care-centres-ppccs.