Victor Harbor will get a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic by the middle of next year as part of an Australian Labor Party pre-election commitment.

The ALP has announced an additional 50 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics nationally, on top of the 87 already established, under a $644 million election promise.

The clinics offer only bulk-billed consultations and operate on a walk-in basis.

They treat minor injuries and illnesses, such as cuts, sprains, minor burns and respiratory illnesses, to relieve pressure on hospital emergency departments.

There are currently 16 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics in South Australia; the furthest south is in Marion.

The Victor Harbor clinic is one of three proposed for South Australia; the others will be in Whyalla and Norwood.

According to the federal health department, the locations of the additional clinics have been determined according to Australian Bureau of Statistics Statistical Area Level 3 (SA3) geographic areas.

“The site and providers of Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will be determined through independent commissioning processes conducted by Primary Health Networks or state and territory governments. 

“The commissioning process typically involves a competitive open tender or expression-of-interest, to determine the most appropriate private provider to operate the Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in that location.”

Independent MP for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie has welcomed the pre-election funding commitment by the federal government to deliver a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic to the south coast.

“Residents of Victor Harbor, Middleton, Goolwa and Port Elliot regularly contact me because they are unable to find a doctor in the area who has the capacity to accept them as a patient. 

“Some residents inform me they have no choice but to travel to Aldinga or Noarlunga to see a doctor as a result, but not all have access to transportation. 

“Some have no choice but to attend the local Hospital Emergency department even though they feel they should really be visiting a GP, there is no available GP for them to visit.

“This is a much need needed delivery of primary health care to the Southern Fleurieu and I thank the Government for their response. I call on the opposition to now match this response and commit to delivering a fully funded Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Victor Harbor.”