**Update** Lismore Medicare Urgent Care Clinic has since updated its hours of operation to 7:30am to 7:30pm, 7 days a week. Refer to their website for more information.
Healthy North Coast has welcomed the Australian Government’s announcement of the Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Lismore.
The new Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (UCC), located in Goonellabah, is operated by Lismore GP Super Clinic, a general practice with a team of GPs, allied health practitioners and nurses, who has been providing primary healthcare services to Lismore and the Northern Rivers for 16 years.
The new Medicare UCC is run from the same site as Lismore GP Super Clinic, but the service is separate.
With doors having opened to the public on Monday 20 November, the Lismore Medicare UCC is currently operating 7 days a week with extended hours to service the urgent, but not life-threatening, healthcare needs of the community to help reduce pressure on hospitals and emergency departments.
The Clinic is fully bulk billed, with no appointments or referrals necessary.
"The Lismore community has had their fair share of obstacles over the past couple of years.
"The opening of this Medicare Urgent Care Clinic will create another fantastic option for Lismore residents and visitors to access quality primary health care for non-life threatening injuries, while reducing the load on the local emergency department.”
“We are excited and proud to have opened the new Medicare Urgent Care Clinic for the community of Lismore.
“With a legacy of providing exceptional health care to local Goonellabah and Lismore residents spanning 15 years, the establishment of the Lismore Medicare Urgent Care Clinic represents an extension of the dedicated medical services delivered to our community.”
Ms Wheeler also acknowledged the substantial investments and partnership efforts that have been made in recent years to enhance primary care access in Mid North Coast and Northern NSW:
“The new Lismore Medicare UCC is a valuable addition to our existing healthcare services, including local general practices, Aboriginal Medical Services, Head to Health Lismore and initiatives like North Coast Health Connect.”
North Coast Health Connect was launched in May 2023 as a free service to enable North Coast residents to speak with a registered nurse any time of the day or night, and has since supported thousands of locals to receive expert health advice quickly and conveniently.
“It’s all about our community receiving the most suitable, timely level of health care. Our GPs play such an important role in our healthcare system providing comprehensive primary health. We encourage people to prioritise their health through regular visits with their local GPs. Urgent care options like North Coast Health Connect and Medicare Urgent Care Clinics come into play when the health care need is more urgent, or out of hours, and your local GP is not available.
“If anyone is unsure about the right place to go for their care, a free call to North Coast Health Connect will point you in the right direction. The Australian Government has also developed some great resources,” added Ms Wheeler.
- The Lismore Medicare UCC and North Coast Health Connect are funded by Healthy North Coast through the Australian Government’s PHN Program.
- Lismore Medicare Urgent Care Clinic is located at 33-35 Rous Rd, Goonellabah NSW 2480.
- Currently open Monday to Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm, Saturday 8:00am to 2:00pm and Sunday 9:00am to 3:00pm*.
- Cost is FREE for patients (Medicare bulk-billed).
- More information on Medicare Urgent Care Clinics can be found at health.gov.au/MedicareUCC.
- North Coast Health Connect can be reached on 1800 198 888 or via webchat at northcoasthealthconnect.org.au.
