EMMA MCBRIDE MP
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR CARERS
MEMBER FOR DOBELL
GORDON REID
LABOR CANDIDATE FOR ROBERTSON
IMPROVING ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE ACROSS THE CENTRAL COAST
A Labor Government will fund two Medicare Urgent Care Clinics on the Central Coast, so locals and families can get the urgent medical care they need.
People on the Central Coast are struggling to access medical care with the ongoing GP shortage and rising out-of-pocket costs, which have gone up by 37 percent under the Liberals.
Labor has a plan to improve access to GP emergency care in our region by delivering two Medicare Urgent Care Clinics; one in Dobell and one in Robertson.
These clinics will take the pressure off hospital emergency departments in Wyong and Gosford by giving locals another option to receive care from a doctor or nurse.
The clinics will be open seven days a week from at least 8am to 10pm – the time when most non-life-threatening injuries occur – and will treat sprains and broken bones, cuts, wounds, insect bites, minor ear and eye problems and minor burns.
Care will be bulk billed, meaning locals will not be left out of pocket for seeking urgent medical care.
Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will relieve pressure on hospitals and free up dedicated nurses and doctors at emergency departments so they can focus on providing care for serious and life-threatening presentations.
This is part of Labor’s wider plan to invest $135 million over four years to establish a trial of 50 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics.
Quotes attributable to Emma McBride:
“As a pharmacist of 20 years and a local MP, I know the importance of quality healthcare close to home.
“Right now, we have a GP crisis on the Coast – locals are waiting weeks for routine appointments, practices have been forced to close their books, and emergency departments can’t keep up with demand.
“I’m so pleased to announce Labor will establish a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic on the north end of the Coast to take pressure off emergency departments and give locals access to the care they need.”
Quotes attributable to Dr. Gordon Reid:
” As a local doctor who works in emergency departments on the Central Coast, I know our ED’s are overwhelmed making it difficult for patients to receive the care they need, when they need it.”
“These Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will take the pressure off local hospitals and doctors, and ensure families are being treated in a timely way.
“Labor is the party that built Medicare, and only Labor will make sure families on the Central Coast get the bulk billed healthcare they need.”
MONDAY, 2 MAY 2022
