RACGP leaders discuss future of UCCs

With urgent care clinics (UCCs) now a growing part of the healthcare landscape, and the nature of healthcare continuing to evolve, RACGP leaders gathered to discuss the future of urgent care delivery. 
 
There are currently 87 Medicare UCCs around the country, and with another 50 being promised during the Federal Election, alongside private UCCs also operating nationwide.
 
An RACGP roundtable last week brought together members, government representatives, key stakeholders and RACGP Board directors to discuss the impact UCCs are having on general practice and their potential role in the healthcare system.
 
With an increasing number of RACGP members providing care in UCCs, the roundtable heard from GPs about their firsthand experience working in the space.
 
With patient presentations at UCCs most commonly involving minor illnesses, minor injuries and undifferentiated conditions, attendees agreed that providing urgent care sits firmly within the scope of general practice.
 
Ultimately, the roundtable agreed the RACGP should advocate for establishing clear standards for care provided in UCCs, as well as continuing to make the argument that they remain focused on primary care. 
 
Attendees also discussed the challenges posed by the growing number of UCCs, including where their workforce will come from, how to ensure quality, and communication with general practices.
 
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright, who attended the roundtable, said it sparked interesting discussion and debate.
 
‘Our priorities remain focused on ensuring continuity of care, integration with general practice, training for registrars, and support for all GPs no matter where they work,’ he told newsGP. 
 
‘GPs working in urgent care are playing a key role in keeping patients in their community healthy and must be supported.’ 


Healthcare leaders discuss the future of urgent care in Australia. 

With the Federal Government promising to grow UCC numbers, the roundtable worked to move the debate forward, focusing on urgent care as a fixed component of the health system.
 
Attendees also noted the current Medicare UCC model appears to be suited for larger populations, with many parts of Australia to benefit from greater investment in urgent care but needing more flexible models and funding to do so. 
 
Moving forward, the roundtable discussed ways the college can support its members, regardless of whether they work in comprehensive general practices or urgent care settings, as well as collecting insights to inform its advocacy, education and training in the space.
 
Reaction from GPs to UCCs and changing urgent care consults has so far been mixed, with many working in the clinics and reporting their success. 
 
At the same time, a newsGP poll found 80% of respondents think the plan to rollout extra UCCs will place ‘additional strain or negatively impact the already limited GP workforce’. 
  
At the roundtable, leaders discussed key questions including, how patients can safely transition between urgent care and general practice, and how the RACGP can support equitable access, while maintaining quality and safety. 
   
Another key area under discussion was the funding of urgent care, with attendees sharing views on delivering cost-effective care, funding models and opportunities for general practice. 
  
The roundtable comes as UCCs position themselves within Australian healthcare, to alleviate pressure on hospitals and emergency departments by providing urgent care in a community setting and operating during extended hours.
 
The number of Medicare UCCs is expected to increase to 137 by mid-2026 as part of a $644 million commitment announced during the Federal Election. 
 
Revealing the plans, Federal Health and Ageing Minister Mark Butler said he is ‘very confident’ that Medicare UCCs are a ‘new model of care for Australia’. 
 
However, the long-awaited Evaluation of the Medicare Urgent Care Clinics: Interim Evaluation Report 1’, released in March, revealed that UCCs are five times more expensive than a standard GP consult. 
  
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