The Morayfield Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) is the busiest in Queensland, with an average of 89 patients seeking treatment daily.
This high volume of patients highlights the critical role these clinics play in providing accessible healthcare to the community.
On 1 August 2024, the Health Hub Morayfield’s Minor Accident and Illness Centre officially became part of Australia’s Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) Program under a two-year agreement with Brisbane North Primary Health Network.
This initiative strengthens access to bulk-billed, high-quality healthcare for Morayfield, Caboolture, and North Moreton Bay residents while alleviating pressure on hospital emergency departments. Over 60% of surveyed patients indicated they would have visited a hospital emergency department if the clinic was unavailable.
The UCC provides urgent care for non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses via a dedicated team of doctors, nurse practitioners, and nurses. Open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., 365 days a year, the clinic ensures timely, cost-free care close to home.
Surge in Demand for Urgent Care
Queensland’s network of 16 free urgent care clinics is experiencing significant demand. They treat an average of 568 patients daily, and this demand has surged by 15% over the recent Christmas and New Year period. Weekends are particularly busy for clinics.
More than 25% of patient visits occur after 5:00 p.m. on weekdays, indicating a strong need for after-hours care. The clinics effectively reduce pressure on hospital emergency departments and satellite hospitals by offering an alternative for those with urgent, but not life-threatening, conditions.
Common Ailments and Patient Demographics
Since opening, Queensland’s UCCs have recorded over 186,500 patient visits. The most frequent reasons for visiting include lacerations, upper respiratory tract infections, coughs, and ear infections. Notably, over a quarter of the patients are under 15 years old. While Morayfield is the busiest, the newest clinic in Oxley, which opened in November, treats an average of 17 patients daily.
The Federal Health Minister, Mark Butler, has acknowledged the positive impact of the UCCs, stating that they are making a real difference in communities. He acknowledged that access to healthcare remains a challenge and expressed a commitment to further strengthening Medicare. However, Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls emphasised the need for increased federal funding for general practice through higher Medicare rebates.
He believes this is crucial to ensure the sustainability of primary care services. Nicholls also highlighted the federal government’s responsibility in funding primary care and emphasised the need for faster-aged care and NDIS assessments, which would help alleviate pressure on emergency departments.
Published Date 15-Jan-2025
Photo Credit: Health Hub Doctors Morayfield
