| A re-elected Labor Government will provide free, round the clock health advice and an afterhours GP telehealth service to every single resident in New England via 1800MEDICARE. Life isn’t 9 to 5. With 1800MEDICARE, neither is health care. A re-elected Albanese Labor Government will make a $204.5 million investment to improve existing Healthdirect services and expand them to every state and territory, under one consistent national service. 1800MEDICARE will be available to every Australian in New England – meaning high quality health services are never more than a phone call away. If the Albanese Labor Government is re-elected, 1800MEDICARE will launch from 1 January 2026 through this election commitment. 1800MEDICARE will build on Labor’s plan to open 50 more Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, ensuring that free urgent care is available within a 20-minute drive for four in five Australians, and just a phone call away for everyone across the nation. Medicare Urgent Care Clinics and 1800MEDICARE will fill a gap in the health system that widened dangerously under the former Liberal Government. Whether you need expert health advice or reassurance, the registered nurses at 1800MEDICARE will be there all day, every day, to provide advice and refer you to the health service you need – whether that’s your regular GP, the local hospital or a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic. If you need urgent GP care that can’t wait for your regular GP to be available, the triage nurses will connect you to a free telehealth session with a 1800MEDICARE GP via phone or video, available all weekend and weeknights between 6pm and 8am. On your phone and in the comfort of your home, a 1800MEDICARE GP will provide the free care you need, like an emergency prescription for your regular medication, or treatment for an illness or injury. Consistent with past practice, election commitments will be delivered in line with Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles. QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO HEALTH MINISTER MARK BUTLER: “When illness or injury strikes in your family, 1800MEDICARE will be there – a 24/7 health advice line and afterhours GP telehealth service, backed by Medicare. “With Medicare Urgent Care Clinics and 1800MEDICARE, free urgent care will be a 20-minute drive away for 4 in 5 Australians, and a phone call away for every Australian. “Around 250,000 Australians will avoid an unnecessary trip to a hospital emergency department, because of the free urgent GP care provided by 1800MEDICARE.” QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO CANDIDATE FOR NEW ENGLAND, LAURA HUGHES “Labor is strengthening Medicare to make sure every Australian in New England has access to high quality health care no matter what time of the day it is. “Only a Labor Government will deliver stronger Medicare for the local community in and around New England with more bulk billing and more free urgent care, compared to more cuts to Medicare under Peter Dutton’s Liberals.” Media Release: Laura Hughes Labor Party New England Candidate |
Labor Delivering Free Urgent Care on Your Phone & in Your Home With 1800MEDICARE
Other News
Inverell F.C Travel Back to Tamworth for Redemption
Inverell F.C are on the road heading back to Tamworth tomorrow looking to rebound after their loss to…
Local Rivalry Heats Up in Tingha
There’ll be no love lost at Bob Ward Oval tomorrow when the Tingha Tigers tackle the Inverell Hawks…
Saints Head to Gunnedah for Crucial Clash
The Inverell Saints head to Gunnedah in a bid to continue their winning form as part of round…
Central North Rugby Action Heats Up
The Inverell Highlanders 1st grade team will have the weekend bye to rest niggling injuries as other teams…
The Battle is Ready on the Bank
The Inverell community is expected to brave the cold conditions and head to Campbell Park tonight for the…