The Australian Government funds eight Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (UCCs) in Tasmania as part of a national program.
The funding has been provided through Primary Health Tasmania and the Tasmanian Department of Health. To date, some Tasmanian Medicare UCCs have been commissioned by Primary Health Tasmania and others by the Tasmanian Department of Health.
Commissioning responsibilities (including contract management) for all Tasmanian Medicare UCCs will transition to Primary Health Tasmania by the end of 2026, as existing contracts with the Tasmanian Department of Health expire.
What are Medicare Urgent Care Clinics?
Urgent care is when you need medical attention for an illness or injury that can be managed without a trip to the emergency department, but cannot wait for a regular appointment with a GP.
Medicare UCCs provide urgent health care in a general practice setting. The clinics help reduce pressure on our hospitals and emergency departments, allowing them to focus on higher urgency and life-threatening conditions.
These services are bulk billed, meaning there is no out-of-pocket costs to patients.
The clinics are open for extended hours, and no appointment or referral is needed.
The Australian Government is funding the establishment of a new Medicare UCC in the Glenorchy area in Hobart’s northern suburbs.
The new clinic is being established in place of one of two Medicare UCCs currently operating in central Hobart.
A limited tender process, led by Primary Health Tasmania, will identify a single provider to continue operation of the Hobart Medicare UCC.
Primary Health Tasmania will also run an open tender process to select a provider to establish and run the new Medicare UCC in the Glenorchy area. This tender process is expected to commence this month (June).
All aspects of our tender processes are managed via our eTender portal. Registration on the portal is free – instructions are available on our website here.
