Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Senator Gallagher. Could the minister please outline how the Albanese government is delivering on its commitment to establish Medicare Urgent Care Clinics? How will these Medicare Urgent Care Clinics help make it easier for Australians to see a doctor and take pressure off public hospital emergency departments?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator O'Neill for her question and for her interest in Australia's health system. I hear those opposite laughing at the mention of the Medicare Urgent Care Clinics—scoffing at them.

Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education) | Link to this | Hansard source

No, we're saying you rebadged them.

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, please resume your seat. Order! Interjections across the chamber are disorderly, as are interjections generally. Minister, please continue.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) | Link to this | Hansard source

The Albanese government is establishing 58 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics across Australia, with a total investment of $493.5 million over five years. These clinics are urgently needed to invest in the public health system to meet the needs of the Australian people. After 10 years of failure to invest, neglect of the aged-care system and failure of the public health system, we have significant challenges facing people who want access to affordable healthcare or, in this case, bulk-billed healthcare out of hours for non-urgent conditions. These Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are going to be part of the response, along with our investment in the tripling of the bulk-billing rate that we did in our budget, to ensure that the public health system is funded appropriately and that health professionals are supported in the work they do. Sixteen Medicare Urgent Care Clinics have now opened their doors around Australia—four in New South Wales, including in Albury and Wollongong; two in WA, in Perth and Rockingham; and nine in Victoria, including in Ballarat and Geelong. Today, the first clinic is opening in Tasmania, in Launceston, and we expect more to be opening in coming weeks and months—

Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education) | Link to this | Hansard source

They're not new. They're rebadged facilities. They're Victorian—

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Order!

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) | Link to this | Hansard source

including in Tasmania. I know Senator Henderson hates services in Victoria. She opposes investments in Victoria.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Well, stop heckling, then! These are good investments for your constituents right across the country—

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, please resume your seat. Order on my left! Senator Henderson! May I remind senators that there's plenty of opportunity throughout the sitting period for you to make a contribution. Question time is not the time for that. Minister, did you wish to continue?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) | Link to this | Hansard source

My four seconds? Yes. Affordable out-of-hours health care for Australians is something to be supported.

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator O'Neill, a first supplementary?

Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

The Medicare Urgent Care Clinics represent a new approach. Why are new approaches needed—

Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education) | Link to this | Hansard source

No, they're rebadged.

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator O'Neill, please resume your seat. Senator Henderson, once again, you are being disorderly. Senator O'Neill, please continuing your question.

Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, President, for that protection. The Medicare Urgent Care Clinics represent a new approach. Why are new approaches needed, and how is the government working to ensure that the urgent care clinics are integrated with existing health services?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator O'Neill, for that question and for allowing me the opportunity to talk about how the urgent care clinics are integrated with existing health services. There is no doubt a new approach was needed. After 10 years of cuts and neglect, primary care is in the worst shape it has been in for almost 40 years. Bulk-billing rates are in decline. Only 14 per cent of medical graduates now choose to work in general practice, dropping from 50 per cent, but the need for those services hasn't declined. People still need to go to the doctor. They get sick and injured. They still need treatment. That's why we've been pleased to work with states and territories in the delivery of this program—because it's essential the Medicare Urgent Care Clinics align with and support the work that is done by state public health systems, particularly in relation to the emergency department. We know there were 8.8 million presentations to emergency departments in 2021, and, of these, 4.1 million were for non-urgent or semi-urgent conditions.

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister. Senator O'Neill, a second supplementary?

Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

Can a minister outline how the government is working with states and territories to ensure that the Medicare Urgent Care Clinics best meet the needs of local communities? Why is it important to work cooperatively with state and territory governments to deliver these urgent care clinics?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator O'Neill for the supplementary. We are very keen to ensure the Medicare Urgent Care Clinics meet the health needs of local communities, and so we aren't imposing a one-size-fits-all approach, and it is importantly that we work cooperatively—I know it's a foreign concept to those over there—with state and territory governments, primary healthcare networks and health professionals on the ground to ensure that these clinics are jointly designed, implemented and integrated with the local hospital and health system. We're jointly developing operational guidance with state and territory governments that outline the type of care the Medicare clinics can provide and what MBS scheme items they can bill for. This work is critical to ensure integration with other health services, including GPs and hospital emergency departments. We know the value of working in partnership with state and territory governments, unlike those opposite.