The Australian Government has finalised providers for two Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (Medicare UCCs) in Devonport and Townsville.

In Devonport, Tasmania, My Clinic Plus will establish the Devonport Medicare UCC. It will open to patients on 11 December.

This initiative aims to provide easier access to urgent medical care from qualified professionals, reducing the burden on the Mersey Community Hospital.

The clinic will operate seven days a week, offering walk-in care with fully bulk-billed services.

Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler said: “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.

“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.”

In Townsville, the Eastbrooke Family Clinic has been chosen as the provider for the Townsville Medicare UCC.

Expected to start operations from next month, this clinic will streamline access to urgent treatment in the city, alleviating pressure on the Townsville University Hospital.

Similar to the Devonport facility, the Townsville Medicare UCC will operate seven days a week, providing walk-in care with full bulk billing.

The Townsville clinic is part of an initiative to establish 11 Medicare UCCs across Queensland, aimed at improving healthcare accessibility through the Primary Care Pilots programme.

The government will collaborate with Primary Health Networks and the Queensland Government to establish additional Medicare UCCs, all expected to open by this year end.