Urgent care, when it’s not an emergency
Avoid waiting in an emergency department. The Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Ballarat (MUCC) provides medical care when it’s urgent but not an emergency. The clinic is staffed by a team of medical professionals to provide urgent medical care for non life-threatening injuries or illnesses. Medical staff will assess you when you arrive and we will provide you with appropriate care. If you need specialist attention we will refer you to a nearby emergency department. Care is available for everyone, with or without a Medicare card. Your treatment is free. Translators are also available.
The MUCC is not a substitute for your usual general practice clinic. If you require a normal GP consultation, including for repeat prescriptions, you will need to contact your regular GP.
Level 1, 1010 Sturt Street, Ballarat
(03) 4320 0820
Open 9am – 11pm every day of the year
[email protected] (For general communication only. No medical advice will be provided)
The Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Ballarat is just a short walk from the hospital precinct and conveniently located above the Sturt Street West UFS Pharmacy. Our address is Level 1, 1010 Sturt Street, Ballarat.
Our standard opening hours are 9am to 11pm every day of the year. Parking is available at the rear of the building with a three hour limit. Parking is also available in surrounding streets.
Please note that occasionally circumstances arise that will impact our opening hours. We recommend you check this webpage for notifications regarding changes to opening hours before attending the clinic.
We also have a surge protocol in place, which may impact opening hours. Please scroll to the bottom of this webpage for a full explanation of the MUCC surge protocol.
Phone (03) 4320 0820 to contact the Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Ballarat directly, or visit the Urgent Care Clinic Better Health Channel website for more general information.
Click each tab below to check which conditions we are able to treat at the MUCC, or which conditions require emergency care or the care of your GP.
We provide urgent care for injuries and illnesses including:
- fever and mild to moderate infections
- pain when urinating(UTIs)
- suspected fractures, sprains, and sports injuries
- back, neck and muscle pain
- minor cuts, burns, and insect or animal bites
- minor eye and ear infections
- heartburn, vomiting, nausea
- headaches and migraines
- constipation, diarrhoea, abdominal pain
- allergies and rashes
- mild to moderate asthma attacks, coughs, and other respiratory symptoms.*
*If you have tested positive to COVID-19, please see available resources, advice and education at Coronavirus (COVID-19) Victoria – Better Health Channel.
Call Triple Zero (000) or visit your nearest emergency department if you or someone you know is experiencing an immediate life-threatening emergency such as:
difficulty breathing
- severe bleeding
- unconsciousness
- lips and face turning blue
- becoming agitated, confused or very drowsy
- chest pain or chest tightness
- sudden numbness or paralysis of the face, arm or leg
- large burns
- serious accidents or trauma
- extreme pain
Visit your regular GP for:
- Conditions that can wait several hours or days for medical attention
- Chronic or long standing conditions
- Routine health assessments
- Care plans
- Repeat prescriptions
Surge Protocol Disclaimer
The Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Ballarat has a ‘surge protocol’ like many other MUCCs and health services in Australia. If the number of patient presentations overwhelms the doctor and nurse model (ratio) working, which can be unsafe, or, if there are more presentations than the MUCC is able to see before the scheduled closing time, the MUCC will go into ‘surge protocol’. Patients will be triaged by the triage nurse and if safe to do so, referred to another medical service, including the local emergency department(s), or will be asked to see their GP or usual healthcare provider the following day.
If the Medicare Urgent Care Clinic is unavailable, alternative options for care include:
• Grampians Health Emergency Department
• Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED)
• Nurse on call (1300 606 024)
• After Hours GP-led Telehealth Service (6pm-10pm weeknights, 12 noon-4pm Saturdays, Sundays & public holidays) 1800 468 800
• Represent to the UCC at 9am the next morning
• See your regular GP or usual healthcare provider the following day
Prescriptions
We do not prescribe Schedule 8 medications (or benzodiazepines). The MUCC GP can prescribe medication necessary to manage your urgent medical issue, but please continue to see your regular GP for routine prescriptions or chronic medications.
Feedback
If you would like to provide feedback on the MUCC please go to our contact us page.
