The Australian Government has announced Kimberley Medical Group as the provider for the Broome Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (Medicare UCC) in Western Australia (WA).

Planned to open this month, the Medicare UCC is intended to provide urgent care for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries.

This clinic will offer walk-in care that is bulk billed, as well as telehealth services.

It will remain open all days of the week to take pressure off the Broome Hospital.  

More than 70% of Broome Hospital presentations constitute cases that are either non-urgent or semi-urgent.

Australia Health and Aged Care Minister Mark Butler said: “The Broome Medicare UCC is going to make a big difference to patients in the greater Broome area. This clinic will ease pressure on the Broome 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, by tripling the bulk billing incentive and making medicines cheaper.”

In addition, the Australian Government will keep collaborating with WA Primary Health Alliance and the WA government to deliver the additional Medicare UCCs.

Booragoon Senator Glenn Sterle said: "The Broome Medicare UCC will mean people in this community who need urgent but not acute care, can get it quickly.

“This Medicare UCC will ease pressure on local EDs and be much more convenient for our communities, closer to home, at short notice, and bulk billed under Medicare.”