Process begins for urgent care clinic in Maitland

AN expressions of interest (EOI) process to establish a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) in Maitland closed on 15 July.

The EOI was open to existing general practices, community health centres and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.

Fifty new Medicare UCCs were announced in the 2025-26 Budget, set to provide walk-in, bulk-billed treatment for urgent but non-life-threatening emergencies.

Residents of the Hunter New England and Central Coast (HNECC) region currently have access to bulk billed urgent care at five Medicare UCCs in Cessnock, Charlestown, Lake Haven, Peninsula and Tamworth.

Those five clinics have seen over 89,900 presentations since the first opened in October 2023.

The Maitland Medicare UCC will be open extended hours, seven days a week.

Member for Paterson Meryl Swanson told NOTA, “I’m proud to see Maitland included in the next rollout of Medicare Urgent Care Clinics.

“This is fantastic news for our community and a big win for locals.

“Opening the EOI process is an important milestone in bringing a much-needed Urgent Care Clinic to Maitland.

“Our community has been calling for better access to timely, affordable care, and this clinic will help ease pressure on our local hospitals and emergency departments.”

Maitland Mayor Philip Penfold voiced his displeasure at the process on social media.

“Federal Labor’s idea of ‘urgent care’ in Maitland… throw a million-plus at an existing GP by slapping a new sign on the door, and calling themselves a ‘Medicare Urgent Care Centre’.

“Meanwhile, established, high-capacity urgent care providers like Heal Urgent Care, who are already reducing emergency department burden and saving the government money, are denied the opportunity to provide a proper Medicare rebate for patients.

“This isn’t just disappointing, it’s a colossal misstep that could immediately help the people of Maitland.”

Health Minister Mark Butler said the EOI process marks the “beginning of the next phase” in expanding UCCs across Australia.

“Medicare Urgent Care Clinics around the country are providing free, timely and high quality care to thousands of Australians,” he said.

“Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are filling the gap between GPs and hospital emergency rooms.

“They are a key part of the Albanese Government’s efforts to strengthen Medicare and make health care more accessible and affordable.”