Frequently
asked questions
A few of the most common
questions we receive.
Urgent Care vs. Emergency Department
Our Urgent Care Clinics, conveniently located across Australia, provide accessible, bulk-billed service. They’re open early and late every day, and you don't need an appointment or referral.Urgent Care is for situations requiring prompt attention but are not life-threatening emergencies. Issues like minor injuries, fractures, and moderate illnesses can be effectively managed at an Urgent Care clinic.
Emergency or life-threatening illnesses or injuries require immediate medical attention by an emergency department or hospital. Instances like chest pain, severe bleeding, or major trauma require immediate attention in an Emergency Department due to their critical nature.
For more information, watch this video
Urgent Care vs GP
Urgent Care services are designed to address pressing medical needs that are not an emergency, but can’t wait for a regular GP appointment. They offer faster access to healthcare for acute issues such as infections, sprains, minor fractures and more.
GPs play a crucial role in ongoing and preventive care. They manage chronic conditions, perform routine check-ups, and offer continuity in healthcare, focusing on long-term wellness and health maintenance for their patients.
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Frequently asked questions
Urgent Care Clinics offer immediate, free treatment for non-life-threatening injuries or illnesses which includes assessment, observation, and treatment for patients that require more than a regular GP appointment. They’re suitable for urgent issues that can’t wait for a regular GP appointment but aren’t life-threatening emergencies.
Our Urgent Care Clinics are open late, bulk-billed and offer a walk-in service with low wait times.
- Minor infections
- Minor fractures, sprains, sports injuries and neck and back pain
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Minor cuts
- Insect bites and rashes
- Minor eye and ear infections
- Respiratory illness
- Gastroenteritis
- Mild burns
Patients should promptly inform staff if they feel their condition worsening while receiving care at an Urgent Care Clinic.
If a patient’s health deteriorates, medical and nursing staff will promptly evaluate their condition and determine the most suitable care setting, which may include arranging transportation to the emergency department if their situation becomes life-threatening.
Patients and their caregivers can also contact Triple Zero (000) at any time for immediate assistance.
Upon arrival, all patients are triaged by an urgent care nurse. Our average wait time across all our centres is 25 minutes. However, it’s highly probable that you’ll be seen much sooner than this average timeframe.
The triage process helps prioritise patients based on the severity of their condition, ensuring those with more urgent needs receive immediate attention. Rest assured, our goal is to provide timely and efficient care, and our team works diligently to minimise waiting times for all patients.
If you’re visiting a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic or NSW Urgent Care Service within our network, please bring your Medicare card or have the card number with you. For more detailed information, visit https://www.health.gov.au/find-a-medicare-ucc/when-to-visit.
For those visiting a Priority Primary Care Centre in our network, services are free for everyone, even if you don’t possess a Medicare card. Regardless of your Medicare status, you’ll receive the necessary care. For further details, please visit https://nwmphn.org.au/resource/priority-primary-care-centres-translated-social-media-tiles/.
Our clinics strive to accommodate diverse needs, including language barriers. Ur centres are staffed with multilingual team members to assist patients who require language support to ensure effective communication during their visit.
Most Urgent Care Clinics in our network offer ancillary services like X-ray, imaging, pharmacy under the same roof or available close to the centre. Our medical team can assess your condition and, if needed, facilitate imaging services to assist in your diagnosis and treatment.
Please be aware that ancillary services, including radiology, might have different operating hours compared to the clinic and may not always be bulk billed. For specific details about available services and billing information, kindly refer to the center’s website.
