The Albanese Labor Government is delivering additional access to urgent health care in Tasmania by enabling the Launceston Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) to extend its opening hours from today.
Thanks to the Australian Government, the Launceston UCC will now be open to serve the community from 9am to 8pm, seven days a week.
Located on Wellington Street, until now it has been open from 2pm to 8pm.
The decision to extend the opening hours reflects the Launceston community's strong response to the service. Since it opened in July 2023 it has seen more than 33,100 presentations, an average of 48 patient visits per day.
This makes it one of the busiest Medicare UCCs in Australia. It ensures local Tasmanians with urgent but not life-threatening illness and injuries are attended to quickly and free of charge, easing pressure on Launceston General Hospital's emergency department.
No appointment is needed, and all services are bulk billed. The clinic's doctors and nurses can treat a range of conditions and injuries, such as cuts, sprains, high temperatures and rashes.
The Launceston Medicare UCC is one of five Medicare UCCs in Tasmania and 87 across Australia.
A further three Medicare UCCs will be established in Tasmania in 2025-26. These clinics will be located in Burnie, Kingston and Sorell.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
"The Launceston Medicare Urgent Care Clinic is one of the busiest in the country. That's why we're delivering more funding so it can be open longer.
"Locals know that when they need urgent care the clinic is there for them.
"The Launceston Medicare UCC is a great example of how these clinics are changing Australians' healthcare options, allowing emergency departments to focus on real emergencies, and making sure people can get the care when and where they need it."
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister White:
"The Albanese Labor Government is getting straight to work delivering on our promises, we know how much these longer hours for free urgent medical care are needed in the Launceston area.
"Tasmanians know they can rely on Medicare Urgent Care Clinics to provide free healthcare when they need it. They save a trip to the hospital for urgent medical cases and avoid a potentially lengthy wait in the Emergency Room.
"Families rely on our Medicare Urgent Care Clinics especially, with kids making up 1 in 4 patients seeking care for things like respiratory illness or sports injuries.
"We're committed to providing the right care for Australians, right where it's needed."
Quotes attributable to Jess Teesdale MP:
"Our community has embraced the Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, and I'm proud to be part of a government that listens and responds. By extending the clinic's hours, we're taking real steps to reduce pressure on the LGH and make healthcare more accessible for everyone in Bass.
"As we've been out visiting people in their homes, we've consistently heard how important the Medicare Urgent Care Clinic has been for families in Bass.
"Everyone I spoke with had either used the clinic themselves or knew someone who had, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. It's clear this service is making a real difference in people's lives."
