The Albanese Labor Government's Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Launceston has played a key role in easing pressure on the Launceston General Hospital (LGH) during the busy winter months, giving patients faster access to care and supporting the hospital to focus on emergencies.
In July, the Albanese Labor Government increased the clinic's operating hours from six to 11 hours a day, seven days a week. The change has had an immediate impact, allowing the clinic to treat more patients and divert non-life-threatening cases away from the hospital emergency department.
Since opening in July 2023, the clinic has treated and fully bulk billed more than 40,000 visits. Since the Government's expansion of operating, the clinic now averages around 72 patients daily, occasionally seeing more than 100 people. On some days, the clinic has treated more patients than the LGH emergency department.
Importantly, nearly half of all patients say they would have gone to the LGH emergency department if the Launceston Medicare Urgent Care Clinic had not been available. This has contributed to a steady reduction in lower-acuity Category 4 and 5 presentations at LGH, helping the hospital prioritise life-threatening emergencies.
In 2023-24, LGH averaged around 1,218 Category 4 and 5 presentations per month, or 281 per week. In comparison this year, the Medicare Urgent Care Clinic treated around 509 visits per week in July and 516 per week in August for these same conditions.
The Launceston Medicare Urgent Care Clinic is showing other impressive results, with emergency department referrals nearly double the national average, ambulance arrivals via diversion more than twice the rate, and patients less than half as likely to be sent on to hospital EDs. Referrals via Health Direct and other phone services are also significantly higher than the national rate.
Located on Wellington Street and operated by the Launceston Medical Centre, the clinic is open daily from 9am to 8pm. All services are fully bulk billed, meaning patients only need their Medicare card, not their credit card.
There are now five Medicare Urgent Care Clinics across Tasmania, with new clinics to open in Burnie, Kingston and Sorell by 2026, extending access to urgent care for more families statewide.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler:
"Launceston's Medicare Urgent Care Clinic is a clear example of Medicare delivering for the community, offering fully bulk-billed care, seven days a week, and reliving the pressure on Launceston General Hospital.
"The extended hours have made a real difference. With nearly half of patients saying they would have gone to the hospital if the clinic wasn't available, it's easing pressure on the emergency department and improving access to timely care."
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Rebecca White:
"The Albanese Government created Medicare Urgent Care Clinics because we want as many Australians as possible to have access to free urgent health care, when and where they need it.
"Here in Launceston, we've seen just how much of a difference this makes. More than 40,000 visits have occurred since the clinic opened, and during the winter flu season it treated more patients with non-urgent conditions than the hospital's emergency department.
"As a mum, I know how important it is to have somewhere you can take your child when they need care straight away, without worrying about cost or a long wait. That peace of mind is what Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are all about."
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Bass, Jess Teesdale:
"The Launceston Medicare Urgent Care Clinic has been an incredible addition to our community. It is giving families peace of mind that urgent care is available close to home, without long waits and without cost.
"The numbers show just how many locals are relying on this service - and how important it is in helping the Launceston General Hospital manage demand. This is about making health care simpler, faster, and fairer for people in Northern Tasmania."
