The report provides early insights into the operations of the Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (UCCs) pilot program, based on program implementation from 30 June 2023 to 30 September 2024. The program was launched in 2023 with the aim of alleviating pressure on hospital emergency departments (EDs), by offering short-term, episodic care for urgent but non-life threatening conditions.

The report provides an interim evaluation against the nine Measures of Success that were agreed by the Australian, and state and territory governments. It identifies 14 improvement opportunities.

Measures of success

1. Timely treatment
2. Safe and quality treatment
3. Coordinated care
4. Experience for patients and carers
5. Experience for providers at Medicare UCCs, partner hospital EDs and local GP practices
6. ED presentations at partner hospitals
7. Consumer behaviour
8. Coordinated care within the health ecosystem
9. Cost effectiveness

Key findings

• In the period to 30 September 2024, it was reported that 46% of patients would have sought care at an ED if the Medicare UCC was unavailable.
• Based on reports of where patients attending a Medicare UCC would have sought care if the clinic was not available, it is estimated that around 334,000 ED presentations would be avoided annually if Medicare UCCs were operating at their stabilised activity levels post-opening.
• The average funding that would be paid by the Australian and state and territory governments for these avoided ED attendances is estimated to be $616 per presentation.