Understanding Urgent Care Services
Urgent care services address illnesses or injuries that require timely medical attention but do not necessitate an emergency department visit and cannot await a standard general practitioner (GP) appointment.
Service Overview
Urgent care clinics operate with extended hours, seven days a week, including public holidays. They frequently offer pathology and imaging services either on-site or nearby. These services are intended to support hospital emergency departments by providing GP-led care for urgent but non-life-threatening conditions, such as mild infections, fractures, and burns.
For Medicare card holders and community-based asylum seekers, urgent care services are provided free of charge.
Accessing Urgent Care
Individuals seeking urgent care can call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222. A registered nurse will assess symptoms and can direct individuals to appropriate care, potentially booking them into a local urgent care service.
Urgent Care in Central and Eastern Sydney
Urgent care services in the central and eastern Sydney region are commissioned by CESPHN, with funding from both the NSW and Australian governments. The region hosts two primary types of urgent care facilities:
Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (UCCs)
- Provide free, bulk-billed, GP-led care for urgent but non-life-threatening conditions.
- No appointment or referral is required; patients can walk in.
- Staffed by trained medical professionals, offering culturally safe, equitable, and accessible care.
- Maintain extended opening hours and operate daily, including public holidays.
- Locations include: Burwood, Carlton, Maroubra, and Marrickville.
NSW Urgent Care Services (UCSs)
- Offer free medical care for Medicare card holders or community-based asylum seekers needing treatment for non-life-threatening illnesses or injuries within 2 to 12 hours.
- Operating hours are from 8 AM to 8 PM, seven days a week, including public holidays.
- Access requires calling Healthdirect (1800 022 222) for symptom assessment and potential booking.
- Locations include: Belmore, Caringbah, Green Square, and virtualKIDS.