A new Medicare Urgent Care Clinic has opened at the Goonawarra Medical Centre Sunbury in Victoria, Australia, offering bulk-billed services.

This clinic will operate every day of the week for extended hours. Patients will not require appointments to avail of the services.

The launch of the facility aims to alleviate pressure on the Sunshine Hospital while also providing accessible healthcare to the local community.

Health and aged care minister Mark Butler said: “The Medicare UCC at Goonawarra Medical Centre Sunbury will make it easier for locals to get the urgent care they need without spending hours in a hospital waiting room.

“We’ve worked closely with the Victorian government to ensure the Medicare UCCs align with local health services and the needs of communities across the state.

“The Sunbury Medicare UCC is just another way the government is strengthening Medicare and making it easier to see a doctor.”

The new facility is among the ten Medicare UCCs being established across Victoria, with the majority already operational in various locations such as South Melbourne, Geelong, and Ballarat.  

These clinics have been successful in reducing emergency department visits for non-urgent conditions, allowing hospitals to prioritise more critical cases.