Inner west residents needing to see a doctor now have more options with a new Medicare Urgent Care Clinic now open in Maribyrnong.
The Edgewater Medical Centre on Edgewater Boulevard opened on September 1, one of 29 such clinics funded by the federal government in the 2024-25 budget.
Medicare UCC’s are aimed at reducing the number of people attending hospital emergency departments by providing care for urgent, but non-life threatening conditions, such as sprains, infections, rashes and cuts.
It’s hoped the Maribyrnong clinic, which offers bulk-billed care seven days a week from from 8am to 10pm, will ease pressure on the emergency department at the nearby Footscray hospital where more than a third of presentations are for non-urgent and semi-urgent issues.
Federal health minister Mark Butler said the new clinic would help address the health needs of a growing area.
“The local Medicare Urgent Care Clinic will give residents and especially families with young children another option to get the urgent medical care they need quickly,” he said.
“Importantly, the clinic bulk bills, which means all patients need is their Medicare card, not their credit card.”
Fraser MP Daniel Mulino said the opening of the Maribyrnong Medicare UCC was a big win for the local community.
“This new clinic will provide much-needed, free healthcare services to our local community,” he said.
“This clinic will fill a gap for locals who need access to affordable health care without a lengthy wait in the hospital emergency room.”
Cade Lucas.
