Labor confirms care clinic

Lalor MP Joanne Ryan, Werribee Mercy Hospital emergency department director, John Pasco and Emergency department nurse unit manager, Lynne O'Neil.

Werribee will be one of 50 locations in the nation to receive a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic if the Labor government wins at the federal election in May.

The clinics will be open seven days a week, from at least 8am-10pm and provide an alternative option for families needing immediate care from a medical professional.

Labor will fund $135 million over four years to establish a trial of the care clinics, where residents will be able to receive treatment for sprains, broken bones, cuts, wounds, insect bites, minor ear and eye problems and minor burns.

Lalor MP Joanne Ryan said she will work to strengthen medicare for the electorate’s growing community.

“Some clinics locally are reporting a drop of nearly 40% in their doctors and wait times at GPs are blowing out,” Ms Ryan said.

“This commitment builds on Labor’s strong record of delivering the health infrastructure our growing community needs, after providing funding for the Mercy Hospital redevelopment and building the IPC Health Wyndham Vale clinic in our last term in Government.”