Operator of new Kingston Medicare Urgent Care Clinic announced 

The operator of the new Kingston Medicare Urgent Care Clinic has been announced following a competitive open tender process undertaken by Primary Health Tasmania. 

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and Member for Franklin, the Hon. Julie Collins MP on 8 January, announced that Ochre Health had been selected to establish and operate the Kingston Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) in partnership with the Ochre Health Medical Centre John Street.  

This new clinic will be located at Shop 63, 29 Channel Highway and is expected to begin delivering care in February. 

Medicare UCCs are funded by the Australian Government, with funding for Tasmania’s three newest clinics – in Burnie, Kingston and Sorell – provided through Primary Health Tasmania (Tasmania PHN). 

Primary Health Tasmania Acting CEO Susan Powell said the selection of the operator is a big step towards better access to bulk-billed urgent medical care for people in the Kingston area. 

“Ochre Health is committed to working as quickly as it can to open the doors to the clinic,” Ms Powell said. 

“The Kingston Medicare UCC will work on a walk-in basis, with no appointment needed, and will be open extended hours – seven days a week. 

“This will help reduce pressure on our hospitals and let emergency departments focus on life-threatening conditions. 

“And importantly, there will be no out-of-pocket costs for people using this service.” 

Ms Powell said it’s important for people to have a regular GP for ongoing care, but Medicare UCCs have a role to play when people need urgent care and can’t access their usual medical team. 

Ochre Health CEO, Patrick Dwyer noted the company’s history of providing quality healthcare in Tasmania. 

“Since opening in November 2023, our Hobart Medicare UCC has seen more than 21,000 consults take place. Half of these patients advised they would have presented to the emergency department if not for the UCC”. 

“This underscores the important role that our Medicare UCCs play, not only in providing high quality care, but also in alleviating the load on Tasmania’s hospitals”. 

The three new Tasmanian clinics are in addition to existing Medicare UCCs in Devonport, Launceston, Bridgewater, and two in Hobart. 

Click here to download this media release as a PDF.

More information about Medicare Urgent Care Clinics is available here.