The Australian Government has opened a new Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (Medicare UCC) in Hobart, Tasmania, to provide easier access to urgent medical care for Tasmanians.

The Ochre Medical Centre in Hobart has been designated as the Hobart Medicare UCC and will be open for patients from 30 October.

This clinic will operate extended hours, seven days a week, supporting walk-in care and bulk billing.

It aims to reduce the pressure on the Royal Hobart Hospital, where there are many non-urgent or semi-urgent care presentations.

This new clinic in Hobart joins two other operational UCCs in Hobart and Launceston, and another planned for Devonport by the end of the year.

So far, the Launceston and Hobart UCCs have served more than 3,300 patients.

Ochre Health chairman Dr Ross Lamplugh said: “Ochre Health is pleased to partner with the Albanese Labor and Tasmanian governments in operating the Medicare Urgent Care Clinic at Liverpool St in Hobart.

 “The Liverpool Street Urgent Care Clinic is a stand-alone facility located in the same building as our Ochre Medical Centre, with parking and under-cover ambulance access.

“Patients will be treated in a fit-for-purpose environment and the doctors providing care will have dedicated experience in emergency medicine.

 “We already operate a private Urgent Care Clinic in Queensland and we are delighted to now play a role in offering additional patient care solutions in Hobart to bolster the health system and better support the local community.”

The Australian Government is collaborating with the Tasmanian Government and Primary Health Tasmania to ensure all Medicare UCCs for Tasmania are established by the end of 2023.

This is aimed at easing the strain on Tasmanian hospitals and providing timely urgent care to patients.