Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler and Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips met with management and staff at Headspace Batemans Bay, including therapy dog ‘Maximus’. Photo: Fiona Phillips MP.
Batemans Bay Medicare Urgent Care Clinic and Headspace Batemans Bay are making “a real difference” in South Coast communities according to Federal Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips.
During a visit to both health services in early July with Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler, Mrs Phillips described them as “vital” to those living in Batemans Bay and its surrounds.
“The urgent care clinic is now taking a lot of pressure off the hospital and allowing it to concentrate on higher priority emergencies,” she said.
“Headspace Batemans Bay allows young people to access a range of support services during what can be a difficult time in their lives. With two in five young Australians experiencing a mental health issue each year, access to mental health services and support has never been more important.”
Headspace Batemans Bay has been operational since January 2021 and provides outreach services to Moruya and Ulladulla. Outreach services to Narooma, currently handled by headspace Bega, will soon also fall under the Batemans Bay service.
“Minister Butler took the time to speak to the vibrant staff who are doing an incredible job providing tailored and holistic mental health support in our community,” Mrs Phillips said.
“In our area, following the bushfires and COVID lockdowns, it is crucial that young people and their families receive the help, support and care they need where and when they need it.
“The sooner we can help them tackle mental health challenges, the sooner they can reach their full potential.”
Minister Butler and Mrs Phillips also met with management and medical staff at the Batemans Bay Medicare Urgent Care Clinic. Photo: Fiona Phillips MP.
During their visit to the urgent care clinic, Minister Butler and Mrs Phillips met with a range of staff to hear firsthand how the service is benefitting local residents.
“It was fantastic to give Minister Butler a tour of the two vital services and a great opportunity to speak to staff on the ground,” she said.
“Since doors opened in December 2023, there have been more than 6000 presentations for urgent but not life-threatening care.
“I’m delighted that the clinic is providing close to home urgent care that local people need and that the service is bulk-billed under Medicare.”
The largest proportion of presentations to the clinic were under the age of 15, accounting for around 26 per cent of visits, for conditions such as upper respiratory tract infection, ear infection and urinary tract infections. It comes as a relief to emergency staff at Batemans Bay Hospital, where more than half of presentations in 2022 and 2023 were for semi-urgent or non-urgent conditions.
Following the Batemans Bay tour, Mrs Phillips and Minister Butler also met with a pharmacist at Ulladulla’s Beachside Pharmacy, and dropped into the South Eastern NSW Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinic in nearby Milton.
Batemans Bay Medicare Urgent Care Clinic is located at Batemans Bay Hospital, 7 Pacific Street, Batemans Bay. Headspace Batemans Bay can be found at 1/11 Clyde Street, Batemans Bay.
If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact:
Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis support line – 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800 or kidshelpline.com.au
MensLine Australia – 1300 789 978.
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