Darwin Medicare Urgent Care Clinic Program (MUCC)

Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (UCC) aim to reduce pressure on emergency departments and improve access to urgent care by offering community-based care for eligible patients with non-life-threatening conditions that may otherwise present to local emergency departments. After treatment, patients are discharged and referred to their usual GP for ongoing care. The Australian Government has provided funding to the NT Department Health (NT Health) to commission a suitable organisation to operate a Medicare UCC in Darwin for an initial period until 30 June 2028.

The Darwin Medicare UCC is required to deliver services as outlined in the Medicare UCC Program Operational Guidance, including the following requirements:

• Minimum operating hours 14 hours a day, 7 days a week (unless otherwise approved)

• Services to be bulk billed, resulting in no out-of-pocket costs to patient

• Based in an existing GP clinic, community health centre, or Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service

• Be flexible and diverse, responding to the needs of the local community

• Support integration with existing local health services and complement general practice

• Provide treatment for conditions that do not require a hospital admission such as broken bones, wounds, and minor burns

• Offer pathology and imaging services.

The Commonwealth Department of Health, Disability and Aging has expressed a preference for a location within the Darwin City SA3, however responses from all eligible service providers in neighbouring areas will be considered. Preference will be given to a Medicare UCC site that is co-located with, or partnered alongside, general practices that offer bulk billing.