<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>339450</docID> <postdate>2025-03-02 08:00:12</postdate> <headline>Medicare clinics vow: 20-minute drive or less from care</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-339451" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/20230105001748979929-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="601" /></p> <caption>A network of bulk bill clinics set up to treat minor illnesses and injuries could be expanded. (Diego Fedele/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Rachael Ward</strong></span></p> <p><strong>Most Australians could be living within 20 minutes of a bulk billing urgent care clinic, under a federal Labor pre-election promise.</strong></p> <p>The government has vowed to open an extra 50 clinics by the end of June 2026 if it secures a second term, with the polls suggesting a tight race between the two major parties.</p> <p>The $644 million plan aims to deliver extra clinics in every jurisdiction, however, while Labor has released a list of target areas the final sites would be decided independently.</p> <p>Ahead of the May 2022 poll, Labor announced plans for 50 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics before going on to open 87 in government.</p> <p>Once the new clinics are added, about 80 per cent - or four in five - Australians "will live" within a 20-minute drive of one of 137 facilities, according to Department of Health and Aged Care analysis.</p> <p>So far, more than 1.2 million people have received care at the existing clinics, the government says.</p> <p>Medicare Urgent Care Clinics offer free care by GPs or nurses for non life-threatening conditions or injuries, and were initially set up to take pressure off public hospitals.</p> <p>Treatment is offered for minor injuries - such as cuts, basic fractures, burns, suturing and bandaging and foreign objects in ears nose or throat - or minor illnesses - such as bronchitis, rashes, gastro, first trimester pregnancy bleeding or ear, nose, throat and eye infections.</p> <p>One in three patients are under the age of 15.</p> <p>"This announcement of 50 additional urgent care clinics, if we are re-elected, will provide the urgent care people need - and all you will need is your Medicare card, not your credit card," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.</p> <p>The government has been emphasising health announcements in the lead up to Mr Albanese finally calling the election date.</p> <p>The funding for the latest commitment was provided for in the 2024/25 mid-year budget update, the government said.</p> <p>The election must be held on or by May 17 but could happen as early as mid-April.</p> <p>The coalition running ahead of Labor on a two-party preferred basis, at 51 per cent to 49 per cent, according to the latest YouGov poll of voters.</p> <h3><span style="color: #800000;"><strong>PROPOSED SITES FOR NEW URGENT-CARE CLINICS</strong></span></h3> <p><strong>NSW (14):</strong></p> <p>Bathurst, Bega, Burwood, Chatswood, Dee Why, Green Valley and surrounds, Maitland, Marrickville, Nowra, Rouse Hill, Shellharbour, Terrigal, Tweed Valley and Windsor</p> <p><strong>Victoria (12):</strong></p> <p>Bayside, Clifton Hill, Coburg, Diamond Creek and surrounds, Lilydale, Pakenham, Somerville, Stonnington, Sunshine, Torquay, Warrnambool and Warragul</p> <p><strong>Queensland (10):</strong></p> <p>Brisbane, Buderim, Burpengary, Cairns, Caloundra, Capalaba, Carindale, Gladstone, Greenslopes and surrounds and Mackay</p> <p><strong>Western Australia (6):</strong></p> <p>Bateman, Ellenbrook, Geraldton, Mirrabooka, Mundaring and Yanchep</p> <p><strong>South Australia (3):</strong></p> <p>East Adelaide, Victor Harbour and Whyalla</p> <p><strong>Tasmania (3):</strong></p> <p>Burnie, Kingston and Sorell</p> <p><strong>Northern Territory (1):</strong></p> <p>Darwin</p> <p><strong>ACT (1):</strong></p> <p>Woden Valley</p> </body>