New Australian after hours bulk billing medical centres

Two new after hours bulk billing medical centres have been opened as part of a joint Commonwealth-State initiative to improve access to doctors outside of working hours.

The two centres, adjacent to the Royal Perth and Fremantle hospital emergency departments, opened on Sunday. Another centre is scheduled to open next to the Joondalup Health Campus next month and a fourth clinic is expected to open adjacent to Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital in July.

Western Australia Health Minister Jim McGinty said the four centres would relieve pressure on emergency departments by treating patients with treat minor injuries and illnesses or exacerbated chronic conditions.

"Thousands of people every year are treated at emergency departments across the metropolitan area when they could easily have been treated by a GP. This new initiative ensures patients continue to receive the appropriate level of care while reducing the burden on our hospitals," Mr McGinty said.

The centres are part of a constructive partnership between the Western Australian and Australian Governments. Under the agreement, the Australian Government has ensured that all patients attending the clinics will be bulk billed under Medicare. The Australian Government also provided $200,000 toward establishment costs.

The Commonwealth Government is spending $4 billion over five years to strengthen Medicare and to make health more affordable for Australians. These new clinics will mean more bulk billing for the residents of Perth and Fremantle because every patient that is treated in these clinics will be bulk billed through Medicare. These clinics would not have been established without the support of the state government and they would not be able to operate without the support of local doctors and the divisions of general practice. It is pleasing to see this partnership now delivering better health services for local residents," Tony Abbott said.

Last year more than 300,000 people presented at metropolitan emergency departments in WA. Health audits show that up to 86,000 of these patients could have been managed in a general practice setting. The bulk billing medical centres will help reduce bed blocking and waiting times in the emergency departments of our busiest hospitals," Mr McGinty said.

The State Government has committed $5.9 million to fund the clinics until 2005-06. The service will be offered to patients who present themselves at an emergency department or contact the 24-hour health advice line HealthDirect. Doctors from the General Practice Divisions of WA will operate the centres with the support of registered nurses. The centres will be open from 6pm to 10pm on weekdays, noon to 10pm on Saturdays and 10am to 10pm on Sunday.

The clinics are an integral part of the State Government's strategy to relieve pressure on hospital emergency departments. Other initiatives include:

• A $20 million allocation to open 332 extra hospital beds across metropolitan hospitals;
• $22 million to upgrade hospital emergency departments;
• $34.7 million for St John Ambulance to put more ambulances on the road and employ 100 new staff; and
• Recruitment of 927 more full-time salaried nurses in public hospitals.

Media contact: Kate Jordan, Office of Tony Abbott 0417 425 227
Simon Dowding, Office of Jim McGinty (08) 9220 5000