Albanese Announces Urgent Care Clinic for Maitland

3 April 2025

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese dropped in to Maitland Hospital today to announce the establishment of a new Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) in the Hunter region. This initiative is part of the government’s commitment to open 50 additional bulk-billed Medicare UCCs nationwide, aiming to provide Australians with free urgent medical care and alleviate pressure on hospital emergency departments.

The Maitland clinic will offer care for urgent but non-life-threatening conditions, operating seven days a week with extended hours and no appointment necessary. All services will be fully bulk-billed, ensuring patients only need their Medicare card for access. This development is expected to reduce the burden on Maitland Hospital’s emergency department.

Meryl Swanson, Member for Paterson said that over 1,500 signatures were collected in favor of the clinic. She spoke about the importance of accessible healthcare services in the rapidly growing Maitland area and said she is commitment to advocating for enhanced health services and infrastructure.

During the visit, a journalist addressed the region’s challenges with the energy transition and inquired about Labor’s plans to assist. Albanese responded, “We want to make sure that as the transition happens, we have established [a] net zero authority… to make sure no community is left behind.” He also stated, “We are backing new jobs and supporting workers in the coal industry.”

The announcement was interrupted by two climate activists. One protester yelled, “Why has your government approved 33 new fossil fuel projects?” Another yelled, “This is my future on the line,” before both were escorted out by security.

Health Minister Mark Butler said once all clinics are operational, four in five Australians will live within a 20-minute drive of a Medicare UCC. The Maitland clinic is scheduled to commence operations in the 2025–26 financial year.

In a related development, Laurence Antcliff, the Liberal candidate for Paterson, announced on February 27, 2025, that a Dutton Coalition Government would also establish a new Urgent Care Clinic in Maitland. Antcliff criticised the current government’s efforts, stating that the community has been calling for such a clinic for years.