New free clinics bringing healthcare to the community

• Four new clinics will be established with a focus on the healthcare needs of Queensland women and girls.
• The walk-in clinics will be open every day, free of charge and based in the community.
• The Miles Government has committed $46 million to establish the clinics in regions that need it most.
• The new clinics are part of the soon to be released Queensland Women and Girls’ Health Strategy 2032.

Queensland women and girls have been calling for easy to access healthcare that is tailored to their specific health needs. There are a number of barriers women and girls face to accessing healthcare such as financial and transport barriers.

That’s why the Miles Government will establish four new nurse led clinics that will offer women and girls more choice about their healthcare and easier access to care where they can feel safe, heard and supported.

Each clinic will be open for extended hours (8am to 10pm) seven days a week to accommodate work and school schedules.

No booking or referral will be required, and they will be placed in easy to access locations, such as shopping centres, with nearby public transport and parking options.

While the clinics aim to provide ease for women and girls, anyone over the age of one can access care at the clinics.

Importantly, the nurse practitioner level care will be free of charge, regardless of whether they have a Medicare card or not.

Queenslanders will be able to receive care for a range of health issues including colds, flus, cuts and burns, minor infections and wounds.

There will also be women focused healthcare such as access to contraception, maternal health, treatment for sexually transmissible infections, advice on period and menopause matters as well as support and referrals for women experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence.

The clinics will complement – not replace – existing models of general practitioner care, given the Government knows how important it is for people to have a strong relationship with their local doctor.

If anyone presents at the clinics with health needs that are beyond the scope of the clinic, they will be directed or supported to the right level of care. 

Locations of the new walk-in clinics will be identified as the service model is developed. Queensland Health will look to communities across Queensland where there is a high need, ensuring that gaps in access are filled. 

By working together to deliver the Queensland Women and Girls’ Health Strategy 2032, we will create meaningful changes to our health care system to improve the wellbeing of all Queensland women and girls.  

Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:

“The Women and Girls Health Strategy had the biggest engagement of any Queensland Government survey ever.

“We heard loud and clear that women and girls wanted better access to tailored healthcare services in their communities.

“It’s why my government is backing new nurse led clinics that offer the unique care that women need, free of charge.

“These are the types of community healthcare facilities I will continue to champion – joining our nation-leading Satellite Hospitals and the Albanese Government’s Urgent Care Clinics in providing better care closer to home.”

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Service and Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman:

“We know that historically, there has been a lack of investment in health services tailored to the unique needs of Queensland women and girls.

“Queensland women and girls have told us they need more options to access healthcare and we have heard their voices loud and clear.

“These new clinics will bring more healthcare to the community.

“Our investment will support Queensland families to get high level care from our highly skilled nurses close to home and faster.

“The care provided will go a long way in bridging gaps to receiving culturally safe, trauma informed and gender responsive care for Queensland women and girls.

“I’m so proud to be part of a government that listens and acts – and we will continue to make sure all Queenslanders can access the quality healthcare they deserve.”

ENDS