By Callum Ludwig
Casey MP Aaron Violi has started a petition to push for an Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) to be established in his electorate, specifically in the Yarra Ranges.
With just seven bulk-billing GP clinics and the closest emergency department being the Maroondah Hospital, a UCC in the region would provide fully bulk-billed urgent care, taking pressure off already-strained emergency departments and reducing the potential cost and time waiting for patients.
Urgent care is for illnesses or injuries that require early medical attention but are not life-threatening, such as minor infections, minor fractures, sprains or sports injuries, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), lacerations, insect bites and rashes, minor eye and ear problems, respiratory illness, gastroenteritis or mild burns according to the Department of Health and Aged Care website.
Mr Violi said all Australians deserve access to reliable and affordable healthcare that is close to home.
“Local residents have little option when it comes to urgent healthcare. Travelling over an hour to a stretched emergency room or struggling to find a bulk-billed GP appointment isn’t good enough,” he said.
“With my petition receiving almost 1,500 signatures in the first three days, it’s time Anthony Albanese listens to the needs of our community and funds a Yarra Ranges Urgent Care Clinic in the upcoming May budget.”
The Australian Government established 58 UCCs throughout the country since June 2023, all opened by the end of the year, including 10 in Victoria alone. The nearest UCC to the Casey electorate and the Yarra Ranges is located in Narre Warren.
A spokesperson for Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said it’s fantastic that Liberals like Aaron Violi recognise the value Urgent Care Clinics are making to communities around the country.
“Medicare UCCs are making it easier for Australians to get the urgent treatment they need from highly qualified doctors and nurses, while taking pressure off local hospitals. Medicare UCCs are open seven days a week, extended hours and offer walk-in care that is fully bulk billed,” they said.
“In December last year, the Prime Minister announced a $1.2 billion package of Strengthening Medicare measures. This includes boosting funding for Urgent Care Clinics,”
“Since this announcement, the Department of Health and Aged Care has been working with state and territory governments on plans to boost the Medicare UCC program.”
A media release from the office of Mr Butler revealed there has been over 250,000 visits to UCCs since the rollout began, with almost 30 per cent of visits being parents and carers presenting for urgent care for a child under the age of 15 and almost 30 per cent of presentations in most areas being on weekends and around 25 per cent being on weekdays after 5pm, notoriously difficult times to find bulk billed appointments at a GP or be seen at the emergency department of a hospital.
Anyone attending a UCC is asked to bring their Medicare card or number with them.
The Services for Healesville Hospital Action Group (SHHAG) previously campaigned for the Victorian Government to establish a Priority Primary Care Centre (PPCC) at the Healesville Hospital, or advocate for the Federal Government to include it in the UCC rollout, in 2022 to no avail. Maroondah Hospital hosts the nearest Victorian PPCC to the Yarra Ranges.
Casey residents can sign Mr Violi’s petition at aaronvioli.com.au/UrgentCare/.
