HEALTH care facilities in Ipswich will receive a major boost following the announcement in the Federal Budget that an Urgent Care Clinic will be built here.
The Clinic will make it easier for locals to get high quality care for urgent, but non-life-threatening health issues.
The government has committed funds for 50 clinics which will be open for extended business hours, seven days week to provide care with no out-of-pocket costs to patients.
This new clinic will take pressure off our Ipswich Hospital emergency department, leaving overworked doctors and nurses available to attend to more serious and life-threatening cases.
The clinic will be established as part of an existing GP clinic or community health centre in Ipswich and is expected to be operational from 2023-24.
Urgent Care Clinics are part of a $2.9 billion package announced in the Albanese Government’s Budget to rebuild Australia’s primary health care system, take pressure off hospitals, and increase affordability and access to care for all Australians.
The Australian Government is providing $235 million for the 50 clinics, including $100 million to codevelop and pilot innovative models with states and territories to improve care pathways and inform program roll out.
Consultation with the health sector, Darling Downs and West Moreton Primary Health Network and Queensland Government has commenced to ensure the clinic responds to the local needs of the community and is integrated with existing emergency department diversion initiatives to meet the needs of Ipswich.
Minister for Health Mark Butler said that after almost a decade of the former government’s cuts and neglect, it had never been harder to see a doctor at short notice.
“MP Shayne Neumann has passionately advocated for Blair to be included in the Medicare Urgent Care Clinic roll-out.”
Mr Neumann said that getting access to health care is at the top of the list of concerns when he talks to locals in his electorate.
“This clinic will help with minor emergencies, like when your kid falls off their skateboard and breaks their arm or you have a deep cut that needs stitching.”
“The Medicare Urgent Care Clinic is welcome and will fill a major gap in primary health care in Ipswich.”
