The Australian Government is delivering for residents in Northcote with the opening of the Northcote Medicare Urgent Care Clinic.
Located at 42 Separation Street, the Northcote Medicare Urgent Care Clinic is now open extended hours, seven days a week.
No appointment is needed, patients can walk in and all services are bulk billed.
The highly trained doctors and nurses are equipped to treat a range of conditions and injuries that need urgent attention but aren't life threatening, including cuts, viral infections, or a sprained ankle.
New data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows the Australian Government's Medicare Urgent Care Clinics across Victoria are easing pressure on Victorian hospitals. Non-urgent presentations to Victorian emergency departments have dropped by 6.1 per cent.
This is part of the Australian Government's commitment to deliver more Medicare Urgent Care Clinics across the country with 4 out of 5 Australians to live within a 20 minutes drive from their local clinic.
Once all new clinics have been established, there will be a total of 29 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics across Victoria.
The Government's Medicare Urgent Care Clinics have already seen more than 2.4 million presentations since the first sites opened in June 2023, including over 520,200 presentations to Victorian Medicare Urgent Care Clinics.
Over one in four of these were patients aged under 15 years old, more than one in four were on weekends, and one in four were weekday after hours visits (at or after 5pm).
The Northcote Medicare Urgent Care Clinic is commissioned by the North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
"We're delivering on our promise to open more Medicare Urgent Care Clinics in Victoria.
"This new clinic in Northcote will be open seven days a week, for extended hours and most importantly patients will be fully bulk billed.
"This new data shows Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are taking the pressure off Victorian hospitals and making sure patients can get the care they need when they need it."
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister Kearney:
"I'm so excited to have a new Urgent Care Clinic in Cooper - this will improve accessibility and ensure that the only card you'll need for receiving healthcare is your Medicare card.
"Opening this clinic is about delivering care for people where they need it, when they need it. Your Community Health has been such an important part of our Cooper community for over 50 years, and I know they'll continue their commitment to inclusive and accessible health care through the Urgent Care Clinic.
"When your child has a bad fall, when you've injured yourself at home, or when you're sick and need answers quickly, this clinic will provide free, high-quality care."
Quotes attributable to CEO Your Community Health, Liz Chondros:
"Your Community Health is thrilled to bring the new Medicare Urgent Care Clinic to Northcote and offer a safe and inclusive space for all community members to get the urgent care they need.
"In addition to delivering urgent care, the Medicare Urgent Care Clinic Northcote will also link clients into Your Community Health's wraparound services, from dental, allied and mental health, to social supports and community programs".
