The Australian Government has opened the Brisbane South Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (Medicare UCC) to provide urgent treatment to people in Queensland.

This clinic is said to be part of the government's efforts to provide easier access to urgent medical treatment for these people and reduce the strain on local hospitals.

The clinic will be open seven days a week with extended hours and offers walk-in care that is fully bulk billed, making it more accessible to the public.

It aims to address the issue of non-urgent or semi-urgent cases that contribute to hospital overcrowding.

This South Brisbane clinic is the latest addition to four operational clinics in Ipswich, Logan, Murrumba Downs (Redcliffe), and Toowoomba.

Six more Medicare UCCs in Bundaberg, Cairns, Northern Brisbane, Gold Coast, Rockhampton, and Townsville are expected to open before the end of the year.

The government is collaborating with Primary Health Networks and the Queensland Government to ensure the delivery of these clinics.

Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler: “The South Brisbane Medicare UCC is going to make a big difference to patients across the South Brisbane area. Local communities will be able to walk in, see a doctor or nurse and access imaging and pathology services.

“This clinic will ease pressure on the Mater Hospital, Queensland Children’s Hospital, and the Princess Alexandra 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 through our Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, by tripling the bulk billing incentive and making medicines cheaper.”