Latest news with #MedicareUrgentCareClinic
Perth Now
21-05-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
Medicare clinics clock up key statistic
The Albanese government is hailing a milestone for its Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, which played a key role in Labor's election campaign. More than 1.5 million Australians have turned to one of the clinics for treatment as of May 16, saving the health system an estimated $254m in avoided hospital visits. Health Minister Mark Butler said the clinics had become a 'vital part' of the nation's health system in just two years. 'They're starting to take the pressure off hospitals and patients, delivering fully bulk billed care quickly and with no appointment needed,' he said. 'By July next year, another 50 Urgent Care Clinics will open their doors to patients, and 4 in 5 Australians will live within a 20-minute drive of a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic.' . Health Minister Mark Butler (right) says the Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are taking pressure of hospitals. Jason Edwards / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia The clinics aim to provide bulk-billed care to Australians in need of treatment for urgent but not life-threatening conditions seven days a week for extended business hours. Patients with a Medicare card are able to walk in, no appointment needed, and be seen by a GP or nurse. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese often whipped out his own Medicare card on the campaign trail to push the clinics and the government's ongoing plan for them, which Labor identified as a key reason for the government's win. Anthony Albanese made the Medicare Urgent Care Clinics a key part of his successful election campaign. Jason Edwards / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia According to an interim report, the median waiting time at Medicare UCCs was 30 minutes – half as long as a patient would wait in an emergency department – and are almost three times more likely to be seen within the first 60 minutes. The most common reasons for attending were for respiratory, musculoskeletal and skin conditions. In 2023, the first Urgent Care Clinic opened in Logan, Queensland to kickstart Labor's promise to ease pressure on hospitals and emergency departments. The government at the time pledged $771.6m over five years to open and operate the UCC network. A second Interim Evaluation Report is due later in the year.
West Australian
01-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Opinion: Lacklustre Federal campaign in Durack shows parties' ambitions lie elsewhere
Is it just me, or does the race for Durack seem a bit lacklustre? Perhaps it is the by-product of an exciting local campaign at the State level paired with an apparent lack of interest from parties, particularly in Geraldton. Don't get me wrong, this is by no means an attack on the candidates for Durack, or even the parties themselves. It just shows that by reading the tea leaves, the parties themselves believe the seat is likely to remain with incumbent MP Melissa Price and the Liberals. Durack is the largest electorate in the country, covering more than 1.4 million square kilometres, and would be a tough job. Ms Price's efforts over the past 12 years must be commended and she says she has no plans on giving up the role yet. The AEC says Durack has a margin of just 4.7 per cent and Ms Price says it will be a tight race. However, the bookmakers see it differently, with the Coalition $1.03 favourites to claim the seat, ahead of any other candidate ($11) and Labor ($13). Opposition Leader Peter Dutton did not visit the Mid West during the election campaign, with the party instead sending deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley in February. Perhaps it is indicative of the party's confidence in Ms Price. Meanwhile, Labor sent at least three Labor MPs, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, to Geraldton. Mr Albanese's visit was less than an hour, celebrating the reopening of the lobster trade to China. In terms of number of projects, the Liberals have shown the most interest in Geraldton for the election, among them including providing 19 CCTV cameras, and upgrading the lights at the Geraldton Tennis Centre. For Labor, the promise of a local Medicare Urgent Care Clinic and funding for the Festival of Lights round out the Geraldton-specific promises. Even Mid West local Paul Brown, who is running for the Senate as the Nationals' top candidate in WA, has spent significant time in Bullwinkel to help Mia Davies. These factors show there is significantly less interest from the parties in the region for the upcoming polls than the State election, where Geraldton was identified as a key seat. Several Labor ministers, including Premier Roger Cook, then-Liberal leader Libby Mettam, and Nationals leader Shane Love all made multiple trips to Geraldton to win votes. Millions of dollars were promised by each party, with big ticket items including a radiation oncology clinic and a local RFDS base. Even the bookies couldn't find a winner, having the Nationals ($2.05) as a longer-priced favourite. Durack is a large electorate and there are more areas to consider than just Geraldton, but with the largest population and a winnable margin, you would think the parties would have put more time into the city. I'm not privy to discussions held within party rooms but based on how the campaign has been run, I would suggest parties would have considered their resources were better suited trying to win other areas.
West Australian
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Federal Labor promises $50,000 for Midwest Multicultural Association's Festival of Lights event in Geraldton
Federal Labor will commit to funding a multicultural festival in the Mid West if it is re-elected at next month's election. The party has promised $50,000 to the Midwest Multicultural Association for its Festival of Lights event. The event is a cultural celebration of the region's vibrant community, and the diversity within the area. More than 3000 people attended the festival last year, providing a platform for individuals and groups to share parts of their heritage with the community. Labor candidate for Durack Karen Wheatland said backing the event was important for the community. 'The Festival of Lights is a joyful celebration of everything that makes Durack and the City of Greater Geraldton special — our diversity, our connection and our shared pride in this incredible region,' she said. 'This funding means families from all walks of life can come together and celebrate culture through music, food and dance. 'Whether it's backing local events, investing in roads, or strengthening health services, the Albanese Labor Government has shown up for Durack and delivered.' The funding is the second Geraldton-specific commitment made by Labor ahead of the Federal election, with the party promising to build a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic here if elected.
