Premier Jacinta Allan and Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas visited Access Health and Community in Richmond on Thursday, August 29 to announce the change.
There are 29 of what are now known as Urgent Care Clinics across the state, set up to reduce pressure on busy emergency departments.
“Hundreds of thousands of patients have been diverted away from our busy emergency departments and ambulances through these free clinics,” Ms Allan said.
“We’re calling them Urgent Care Clinics, so Victorians know how and where to get the right kind of care.”
The clinics average 7000 patient visits each week through both walk-ins and appointments, and are this month marking half a million visits.
The clinics are led by GPs, backed by nurses and are free for anyone with or without a Medicare card.
People can seek care for a range of reasons, including sprains, broken bones, mild burns, respiratory illness, tonsillitis, ear infections and urinary tract infections.
Hospitals, paramedics, nurse on call, GPs, pharmacies and the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department use the clinics as a referral option, with around 36 per cent of patients coming through these services.
As many Victorians are unable to secure an appointment or afford to see a GP, they are popular with regional Victorians.
There is a clinic in Shepparton at 35-49 Graham St.
More than 142,000 patients have been seen at the nine clinics in country Victoria.
Patient survey data revealed 50 per cent would have gone to emergency if the clinics did not exist.
The Commonwealth has taken over funding 10 of Victoria’s existing clinics as part of its responsibility for delivering primary care across Australia.
This, combined with continued investment in the VVED, is helping relieve pressure on hospitals and paramedics.
Eighty-six per cent of more than 360,000 virtual consultations since 2020 did not require physical care, freeing up room in emergency departments across the state.
If faced with a medical emergency, people should still call 000 or present to their closest hospital emergency department.
For locations or more information, visit betterhealth.vic.gov.au/urgent-care-clinics
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