Ministerial visit recognises UQ Health Care’s role in delivering urgent care

17 June 2026: UQ Health Care’s South Brisbane Medicare Urgent Care Clinic welcomed Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon Mark Butler MP, and Member for Griffith, Renee Coffey MP, as part of a visit marking the completion of the Australian Government’s national network of 137 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics.

The South Brisbane clinic was one of the first Medicare Urgent Care Clinics established in Queensland and has now cared for more than 35,000 patients, providing free, fully bulk-billed care for urgent but non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries.

During the visit, Minister Butler described the South Brisbane clinic as “one of the exemplars of the network”, recognising its role in providing patients with timely access to care while offering an alternative to hospital emergency departments for appropriate conditions.

UQ Health Care Chief Executive Officer Wallis Westbrook said the visit was an opportunity to showcase the impact the clinic is having on patients and the community.

“We were pleased to welcome Minister Butler to our South Brisbane Medicare Urgent Care Clinic and to showcase the outstanding work of our clinical team,” Mr Westbrook said.

“Caring for more than 35,000 patients since opening reflects both the demand for accessible urgent care and the dedication of our team. We are proud of the role UQ Health Care is playing in delivering high-quality, patient-centred care for our community.”

The Minister visited the South Brisbane clinic as the Australian Government marked the completion of its national Medicare Urgent Care Clinic network with the opening of the 137th clinic in Caloundra.