Charlestown Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) is now expanding its patient capacity with the employment of additional doctors and nurses.
The centre, opened in November 2024, has already seen more than 17,500 presentations, making it one of the busiest facilities in the region.
Now, additional funding from the federal government will see further staff added to the clinic’s roster allowing it to see more than 80 patients per day.
It’s one of three Medicare Urgent Care Clinics in the Hunter, with others in Cessnock and Lake Haven, as well as a recently-announced new facility set for Maitland.
The centre provides assistance to those suffering with non-life-threatening conditions, such as cuts, infections and sprains.
Shortland MP Pat Conroy admitted it was an important service to alleviate pressures on local hospitals.
“Our record investment in Medicare will make an impact,” he said.
“20,000 visits here means 20,000 fewer to the emergency department, so the effect is powerful.
“Over half the presentations to the ED at at John Hunter Hospital are for what’s called category four and five cases.
“They are semi-urgent and non-urgent cases where people are going in there because they can’t see their regular doctor.
“That is what urgent care clinics are designed to help with.”
The centre operates from 8am to 10pm, seven days a week, providing after-hours access for those seeking treatment.
According to data released by the federal government, the largest proportion of patients attending the Charlestown Clinic have been children, with more than a quarter aged under 15 years old.
Additionally, more than a quarter of visits have taken place on the weekend, and of the presentations which took place on weekdays, one in four have been after 5pm.
The extra employees will be funded by another $8.5 million investment from the federal government into UCCs across the country.
Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon said the centre was improving healthcare accessibility in the Hunter region.
“I’ve heard first-hand from community members how transformative the free Medicare Urgent Care Clinics has been, with some telling me that the service has been genuinely lifesaving for them,” she stated.
“The Albanese government’s funding boost means even more Novocastrians will be able to get the urgent and quick care they need, while taking even more pressure off our local hospitals.”
For more news stories:
- Residents invited to share ideas on future use of old Maitland Hospital
- Rising Tide police operation wraps up with 155 arrests
- North Rothbury one step closer to new ambulance station
Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, real estate, entertainment, lifestyle and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
