It looks like Burnie won’t be getting a Federal Government-funded Medicare Urgent Care Clinic any time soon.
Tasmania currently has five clinics with two in Hobart, one in Launceston and one in Devonport, with a Bridgewater clinic opening last week.
Tasmanian Health Minister Jacquie Petrusma says she’s lobbied the Federal Government for five more clinics for Tasmania, including one in Burnie.
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The bulk-billed clinics are designed for after hours care when GP appointments are not available and to ease the strain on hospital emergency departments .
A quarter of the visits to clinics have been on weekends and a third after 5pm on weekdays, with the Devonport clinic having 12,500 presentations since opening 12 months ago.
