An Albanese Labor Government will fund Medicare Urgent Care Clinics in Darwin and Alice Springs, so Territorians get the bulk-billed urgent medical care they need. 

Families in the Territory are already struggling to access emergency care and are under pressure from rising out-of-pocket costs which only contribute to the strain on household budgets.

Under the Liberals, out-of-pocket costs to see a GP in Solomon have gone up by 27 per cent. In Lingiari, they’ve gone up by 29 per cent.

Only Luke Gosling, Marion Scrymgour, and Federal Labor have a plan to expand GP emergency care access in the Territory by delivering Medicare Urgent Care Clinics in Darwin and in Alice Springs. 

These Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will take pressure off hospital emergency departments by providing an alternative option for families needing urgent care from a doctor or nurse.

The Clinics will treat sprains and broken bones, cuts, wounds, insect bites, minor ear and eye problems, and minor burns. 
 
Care will be bulk-billed, meaning families won’t be left out of pocket for having a loved one attended to, just as if they had gone to the hospital emergency department. 
 
It will be open seven days a week from at least 8 am to 10 pm – when the majority of non-life-threatening injuries occur. 

“This is a practical example of Labor’s commitment to strengthen Medicare and make it easier for families to get the healthcare they need," said shadow Health Minister Tanya Plibersek.

“Labor established Medicare – it’s the bedrock of Australia’s health system. By using it to help take the pressure off hospital emergency departments, we can make it even stronger.”

Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will relieve pressure on hospitals and free up dedicated nurses and doctors at hospital emergency departments so they can focus on providing care for serious and life-threatening presentations. 

Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will be located across Australia – in every State and Territory. 
 
Labor will invest over $135 million over four years to establish a trial of 50 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics. 

“This commitment will help to take pressure off our local hospitals and the dedicated people who work there," said Luke Gosling, Member for Solomon.

“After years of cuts to healthcare, the only way to finally see the investment in health that we need in the Territory is to vote for an Albanese Labor Government.”