Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will be funded permanently after the federal government confirmed ongoing investment in its latest budget.
An extra $1.8 billion over five years from 2025/26 and $580 million per year ongoing from 2030 was put down to make the clinics permanent.
The funding comes on top of $644 million last year alone to roll out dozens more clinics.
While initially hesitant about the introductions of UCCs – which the government has maintained improves access to primary care services and keeps people out of hospital – the RACGP suggested it should lead the charge on developing profession-led standards for the clinics.
President Dr Michael Wright said: “With funding allocated to make Medicare UCCs permanent, the RACGP is committed to working with the government to ensure a focus on quality, continuity of care and cultural safety, including through the development of profession-led urgent care standards.”
In the lead up to last night’s federal budget the College said there was a need for a unified, trusted framework that defines UCCs role and strengthens integration across the healthcare system.
Dr Wright said standards must reinforce the importance of continuous, coordinated care, particularly handover processes between UCCs and a patient’s regular GP, to prevent fragmentation of care.
The College and the AMA have previously warned that the UCC model risks fragmenting care especially for patients with chronic or complex conditions who benefit from continuity with their regular GP.
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However, it has since softened its view as communication between clinics and GPs improves.
“Urgent care must be well connected to general practice. Patients deserve a seamless experience, where urgent issues are managed effectively and their ongoing care is not compromised,” Dr Wright said.
“GPs are highly trained to deliver urgent care, and their role within multidisciplinary teams will be central to the sustainability and success of the urgent care system.”
The UCC funding comes as part of a $2.1 billion investment into primary and specialist health services over five years from 2025/26.
It includes $119 million over three years from 2026/27 to extend the Practice Incentives Program Quality Improvement Incentive for two years until 30 June 2028 and $47.6 million over four years from to increase the value of grants under the Radiation Oncology Health Program Grants Scheme to maintain access to affordable cancer treatment for concession card holders.
Some $2.8 million over two years to support endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics also formed part of the budget.
The RACGP has called for consultation with stakeholders, clinicians and the government before UCC standards can progress.
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