The Albanese Government has pledged expanded healthcare services for the NSW Far South Coast, if re-elected. Photo: Supplied.
The Albanese Government has committed to a multi-million dollar healthcare cash splash if re-elected as speculation on an election date grows stronger.
On the NSW South Coast, the Albanese Government has said it will extend the opening hours for the Batemans Bay Medicare Urgent Care Clinic.
It is currently open 8 am to 6 pm, seven days a week, though by the end of 2025, the clinic will operate up to 18 hours a day.
Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips said the clinic was open to everyone.
“Locals know that the Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Batemans Bay is there when they need free, urgent care,” she said.
“I know it will give my community peace of mind to know that the clinic will be open up to 18 hours a day, soon.”
If re-elected, the government has pledged $644 million to open 50 more Urgent Care Clinics across the country, including 14 in NSW.
One of the federally funded Medicare Urgent Care Clinics is planned for Nowra.
“Only Labor will deliver a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Nowra so you can get the free urgent care you need, fully bulk billed, without waiting hours in a busy hospital emergency department,” said Ms Phillips.
“The federally funded Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Nowra will be open seven days, for extended hours, and will take pressure off the Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital.”
The new federally funded Urgent Care Clinic in Nowra would give patients an alternative to the Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital, which saw 23,173 non-urgent and semi-urgent presentations in 2023-24.
Another clinic was pledged for Bega, with both new clinics expected to open during the 2025/2026 financial year.
The locations and providers of Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will be determined through independent commissioning processes conducted by primary health networks or state and territory governments.
The commissioning process typically involves a competitive open tender or expression of interest, to determine the most appropriate private provider to operate the Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in that location.
Health Minister Mark Butler said the clinics were part of the government’s healthcare policy.
“Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are an Albanese Government initiative because we believe in Medicare and in free urgent care, fully bulk billed,” he said.
The date of the federal election is yet to be set.
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