The clinic is expected to open in late January. Photo: Bega Valley Medical Practice.
The provider for a new healthcare clinic in Bega has been locked in.
ForHealth, in partnership with Bega Valley Medical Practice, is set to operate the new Bega Valley Medicare Urgent Care Clinic.
Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (UCC) are being established by the Australian Government to operate independently from local emergency departments to alleviate pressure on local hospitals and general practices, especially after hours.
They treat non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses, such as minor infections, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), insect bites, rashes and respiratory illnesses to limit pressure on hospitals.
It follows a competitive tender process led by COORDINARE – South Eastern NSW PHN.
Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain welcomed the news.
“Congratulations to the Bega Valley Medical Practice – I’m thrilled the new Bega Urgent Care Clinic will soon be up and running.
“This clinic will offer walk-in care to the community for a range of urgent treatments such as minor burns, cuts or infections, insect bites, respiratory illnesses, urinary tract infections or minor fractures.
“Your local GP should continue to be your first point of contact, but Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are a great backup should you need urgent care that doesn’t require a trip to the emergency department,” said Ms McBain.
Based on latest available data (2023/24), more than 56 per cent of presentations to the South East Regional Hospital in Bega were for non-urgent or semi-urgent care.
The clinic will be open seven days a week and offer walk-in care that is fully bulk billed to support local communities, including visitors to the region.
At first, the Bega Medicare UCC will be open from 8 am to 6 pm, but is expected to extend these opening hours in the coming months.
COORDINARE’s CEO Prudence Buist said the clinic’s opening made healthcare more accessible in the Bega Valley.
“This new Medicare UCC will make it easier for people on the Far South Coast to get the urgent treatment they need – from highly qualified doctors and nurses.
“The clinic will be completely bulk-billed meaning that people needing urgent but non-life-threatening care will save on out-of-pocket costs.
“The Bega clinic will support health system resilience by providing timely care locally, reducing pressure on South East Regional Hospital, and complementing local GP and community health services.”
Ninety Medicare UCCs are in operation across Australia, which have already seen more than 2 million presentations since the first sites opened in June 2023.
This includes nearby Medicare UCCs operating in Wollongong, Dapto, Queanbeyan and Batemans Bay.
A full list of their locations is available online.
The Bega UCC is expected to be open from 31 January (this Saturday). It will be located at Bega Valley Medical Practice, located at 61 Carp Street in Bega.
The clinic is bulk-billed, meaning patients will need to bring their Medicare card, and no appointments are required.
