Umina Urgent Care Clinic 'saves system $3 million'
The Peninsula Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Umina Beach has treated over 16,733 patients since opening in 2023, representing a saving of around $3 million, according to Member for Robertson Dr Gordon Reid.
He said an interim report evaluating Medicare Urgent Care Clinics found that nearly half of all patients who attended a clinic would have gone to the hospital emergency department if the Urgent Care Clinic wasn't available.
The report found the average hospital visit costs $616 to deliver, more than double the $246 that the average Urgent Care Clinic visit costs, he said.
"Every time a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic helps someone to avoid an unnecessary trip to hospital, an Australian gets free urgent care and the health system saves $368 a presentation," said Dr Reid.
"Medicare Urgent Care Clinics continue to help ease pressure on our hospital emergency departments.
"Strengthening Medicare and expanding healthcare services remains a top priority and I will regularly update our community on our work", Dr Reid said.
SOURCE:
Media release, 26 May 2025
Gordon Reid, Member for Robertson