HON EMMA MCBRIDE MP

ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR RURAL AND REGIONAL HEALTH

ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR MENTAL HEATLH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION

DAN REPACHOLI MP

FEDERAL MEMBER FOR HUNTER

MEDIA RELEASE

MEDICARE URGENT CARE CLINIC OPENS IN CESSNOCK

The Albanese Government has delivered on its commitment to the people in the Hunter electorate, who now have access to a fully bulk billed Medicare Urgent Care Clinic.

Cessnock Medicare Urgent Care Clinic on Vincent Street is open and will be open extended hours, seven days a week, easing pressure on Cessnock and Maitland Hospitals.

More than 60 per cent of presentations at Cessnock and Maitland Hospital emergency departments are for semi and non-urgent conditions.

Highly trained doctors and nurses will provide care at the Medicare UCCs, with no need for an appointment.

The Cessnock Medicare UCCs delivers on the Albanese Government’s commitment to make it easier for Hunter residents to get the urgent treatment they need while taking pressure off hospitals.

The Cessnock clinic is one of 14 Medicare UCCs that will be established across New South Wales – located in Albury, Batemans Bay, Blacktown, Campbelltown, Coffs Harbour, Gosford, Lismore, Penrith, Randwick, Tamworth, Westmead, Wollongong and Wyong.

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister McBride:

“The Cessnock Medicare Urgent Care Clinic will make a big difference to patients, and enable families to walk in and receive convenient, high-quality care from a nurse or a doctor.

“We’ve worked closely with the Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network and New South Wales Government to ensure the Medicare UCCs align with local health services and the needs of communities across the state.

“The Cessnock Medicare Urgent Care Clinic is just another way the Government is strengthening Medicare and making it easier to see a doctor.”

Quotes attributable to Dan Repacholi Member for Hunter:

“The Cessnock Urgent Care Clinic will be a game changer for families in our local community, enabling families to get the bulk billed care without waiting for an appointment.

“Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are an important missing link in the health system – giving people timely access to care and reducing pressure on the hospital system.

“Emergency Departments are built for those once in a lifetime emergencies and you shouldn’t have to wait in their waiting rooms for things like a deep cut.

“When your kid falls off a skateboard and breaks their arm, instead of spending hours in the Cessnock or Maitland emergency department, you will be able to come to the Cessnock Medicare Urgent Care Clinic.

"The new Cessnock Medicare Urgent Care Clinic will fill this gap and divert people away from Cessnock and Maitland emergency departments so the hard-working doctors and nurses can focus on higher-priority emergencies and life-saving care.”