The Albanese and Rockliff Governments are delivering on their commitment to Tasmanians with a provider selected for the Devonport Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (Medicare UCC) finalised.
My Clinic Plus in Devonport will be established as the Devonport Medicare UCC and is expected to start seeing patients on 11 December 2023.
This Medicare UCC delivers on the Albanese and Rockliff Governments' commitment to make it easier for people in Tasmania to get the urgent treatment they need – from highly qualified doctors and nurses – while taking pressure off the Mersey Community Hospital.
The Medicare UCC will be open for extended hours, 7 days a week, and offer walk-in care that is fully bulk billed.
Approximately 57 per cent of presentations to the Mersey Community Hospital are for non-urgent or semi-urgent care.
This Medicare UCC will join three clinics already operational, with two in Hobart and one in Launceston.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
"The Devonport Medicare UCC is going to make a big difference to patients.
"Locals will be able to walk in, see a doctor or nurse and access imaging and pathology services.
"This clinic will ease pressure on the Mersey Community Hospital, allowing them to concentrate on higher priority emergencies.
"The Albanese Government is committed to strengthening Medicare and making it easier and cheaper to get quality healthcare, by tripling the bulk billing incentive and making medicines cheaper."
Quotes attributable to Minister Barnett:
"The Devonport UCC will help more North West Tasmanians get access to the healthcare they need, when they need it.
"This bulk-billed service will give North West Tasmanians an important alternative option to the emergency department.
"The Rockliff Government is doing what matters for Tasmanians by investing in innovative healthcare solutions.
Quotes attributable to Senator Urquhart:
"The Devonport Medicare UCC will mean people who need urgent but not acute care, can get it quickly even if it's outside standard hours – and all they'll need is their Medicare card.
"I know many families who have had to wait long hours at the emergency department for non-life-threatening issues.
"This Medicare UCC will ease pressure on the local ED and be much more convenient for our communities – closer to home, at short notice, and bulk billed."
