Up for diagnosis: Would a new urgent care clinic in Chatswood complement or compete with GPs?

North Shore Labor politicians are facing fresh scrutiny over their optimism for the government's bulk-billing urgent care clinics, after a new report from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) criticised the scheme as costly and questioned its effectiveness in addressing patient care.

The RACGP is the peak body for GPs in Australia.

The Federal Government made an election pledge to build an extra 50 bulk billing urgent care clinics by mid-2026, a commitment the RACGP said “came prior to proper evaluation”.

How much does it cost for a health visit?

According to the report, each urgent care visit costs $246.50 - cheaper than a hospital emergency department, but more than five times the $42 Medicare rebate for a standard GP consult.

An RACGP spokesperson told the Lorikeet the average cost for a patient to visit the emergency department is $692.

With more than $1 billion allocated to the clinics, RACGP president Dr Michael Wright said the money would go further if invested in existing general practices: “We could be doing much more to help patients with urgent care needs. There’s no substitute for the high-quality care provided by a GP who knows you, and your history, including in urgent care situations.”

Wright said there was a risk of fragmenting care and inadequate clinical handover between urgent care clinicians and general practitioners, resulting in poorer patient health outcomes such as preventable hospitalisations, particularly for patients with multiple chronic health conditions.

Labor backs the model

In a recent interview with the North Shore Lorikeet, Labor candidate for Bradfield, Louise McCallum, cited Labor’s plan to open an urgent care clinic in Chatswood as indicative of its ongoing investment in Medicare.

“We promised 50 [urgent care clinics], delivered 87, and have another 50 on their way. Everyone we’ve spoken to who lives within driving distance of an urgent care clinic is so grateful because they make the world of difference.”

Jerome Laxale, Labor MP of Bennelong, also praised the urgent care clinic funding in his recent Budget wrap video, arguing the Chatswood clinic would reduce pressure on Royal North Shore Hospital.

In a previous statement Laxale said: “We all need access to walk-in healthcare outside of business hours, because getting sick doesn’t follow a schedule. And, we need bulk-billed doctors without having to visit the emergency room. I believe that you shouldn’t have to choose between paying the bills and seeing a doctor.”

As does the Coalition

The Coalition supports the establishment of urgent care clinics to improve access to bulk-billed urgent healthcare and alleviate pressure on hospital emergency departments.

The RACGP said it does not “support ongoing investment without the evidence that it works”.

Thumbnail images by Tom Claes (left), Mark Hansen (right)