Medicare UCCs are open for extended hours – 14 hours per day, 7 days a week, including all public holidays – and are staffed by urgent care doctors and nurses. Patients do not need an appointment or referral; they can simply walk-in and wait to be seen. Medicare UCCs also offer a free service for patients with or without a Medicare card, making them accessible to vulnerable and underserviced populations.
The SEMPHN Medicare UCC program team regularly visits the clinics and arranges virtual meetings with clinic staff, assisting with establishing local referral pathways and connections to various health services, and offering advice and support into the operations of the clinics.
Dandenong Medicare UCC – visited by former Attorney General of Australia and Federal Member for Isaacs The Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP and other MPs this year – is the busiest in Victoria.
Co-located within Greens Medical Group, health providers at the clinic see between 450 and 550 Medicare UCC patients a week. Clinical Lead Dr Hamid Fairoos says more than 50% of presentations are outside standard business hours, highlighting the role of Medicare UCCs in bridging the gap between GP access and emergency departments (EDs).
“Unlike an ED, which is equipped to deal with life-threatening emergencies, we manage patients who would otherwise wait for hours in a busy ED,” he says.
Medicare UCCs treat conditions such as mild to moderate infections, suspected urinary tract infections, suspected fractures and sprains, back pain, muscle strains, minor cuts, burns, insect or animal bites, heartburn, nausea and abdominal discomfort, headaches, migraines, brief fainting, mild to moderate asthma flare-ups, severe coughs, mild allergic reactions, and skin irritations.
Dandenong Medicare UCC also has on-site services including radiology, pathology, cardiac diagnostics, and offers minor procedures, such as removal of foreign objects from eyes. In addition, the clinic is supported by visiting specialists, including cardiologists and endocrinologists.
The patient base reflects Dandenong’s cultural diversity, treating people from a broad range of cultural backgrounds, including Afghan, Sri Lankan, Indian, Pakistani, Chinese, Africa, and Pacific Islander communities. The Medicare UCC staff speak a total of 15 different languages.
All Medicare UCCs have established escalation protocols with nearby hospitals and Ambulance Victoria.
“For cases outside our scope – such as stroke symptoms, heart attacks, or complex trauma – we stabilise the patient, complete essential diagnostics such as ECGs (electrocardiograms) and pathology, and coordinate transfer to EDs with clear handover documentation,” says Dr Fairoos. “Our clinicians also contact on-call ED staff when necessary to ensure continuity and proper triage upon arrival.”
In an emergency, always call Triple Zero (000) or go to the nearest emergency department.
