Paddington residents and neighbouring inner Brisbane communities can now access bulk-billed urgent medical care seven days a week without needing an appointment.
The Inner Brisbane Medicare Urgent Care Clinic opened at QUT Medical Centre Kelvin Grove, just a five-minute drive from Paddington’s cafes and Queenslander-lined streets. Located on level two of U Block at 44 Musk Avenue, the clinic provides immediate treatment for non-life-threatening conditions that cannot wait for a regular GP appointment but do not require a hospital emergency department.
The clinic operates daily from 8am to 8pm and accepts walk-ins with no referral needed. Patients simply need a valid Medicare card to receive completely free care.
Services and Treatments
The urgent care clinic handles medical issues that need same-day attention but are not serious enough for hospital emergency departments.
This includes minor infections like urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted infections, respiratory illnesses, symptoms of gastroenteritis such as persistent diarrhoea or vomiting, minor fractures and sprains, sports injuries, minor cuts requiring stitches, insect bites and rashes, minor eye and ear infections, and mild burns.
The clinic is staffed by experienced independent doctors and nurses with access to excellent treatment and procedure room facilities. Pathology, radiology and pharmacy services are available nearby, though their hours may vary.
The clinic cannot treat major trauma, complex conditions, chronic disease management or provide preventive health procedures like cervical screening tests. For life-threatening emergencies, patients should still call Triple Zero (000) or visit their nearest hospital emergency department.
Filling the Gap Between GP and Hospital
Medicare Urgent Care Clinics were designed to bridge the gap for people who need medical attention but find themselves stuck between a fully booked GP clinic and an overwhelmed hospital emergency department. For Paddington families, this means no more waiting days for a GP appointment when a child has a minor injury, or sitting for hours in emergency for conditions that do not require hospital-level care.
The Kelvin Grove location serves Paddington along with nearby suburbs including Red Hill, Milton, Auchenflower, Bardon, Petrie Terrace and Herston. The clinic is easily accessible whether residents drive, catch a bus along Given Terrace or Latrobe Terrace, cycle or walk from surrounding areas.
Like other Medicare Urgent Care Clinics across Australia, the Inner Brisbane clinic utilizes a clinical triage system to manage high demand. If patient volume exceeds safe capacity, staff will prioritize cases based on urgency and may refer non-urgent patients to other services or ask them to return later.
Part of Broader Healthcare Expansion
The Kelvin Grove clinic is one of 90 Medicare Urgent Care Clinics operating across Australia, with plans to expand the network to 137 clinics during the 2025-26 financial year. More than 1.8 million presentations have been recorded at these clinics since the first sites opened in June 2023.
In Queensland, several additional Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are planned for inner Brisbane and surrounding regions. Brisbane North Primary Health Network announced tenders for two new clinics in the inner Brisbane area north of the Brisbane River and in the Narangba-Burpengary area. Brisbane South Primary Health Network is also accepting expressions of interest for three new clinics in their region.
Research shows that about one-third of patients at Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are under 15 years old, making these facilities particularly valuable for families. The extended hours and weekend availability mean parents can get care for their children without disrupting work schedules or waiting until Monday morning.
For residents across Brisbane’s inner suburbs, particularly those in Paddington where parking can be challenging and medical facilities are often busy, the new clinic provides a practical option when urgent health issues arise outside regular GP hours or when same-day appointments are unavailable.
The clinic accepts both walk-ins and online bookings through the Urgent Care Network Australia website. While no appointment is necessary, booking online may reduce waiting times during busy periods.
Published 02-February-2026.
