More than 25,000 Victorians have cared for at one of our nine regional Priority Primary Care Centres since they were launched in September 2022, taking pressure off busy emergency departments, and helping save emergency resources for those most in need.

Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison, today visited the Ballarat PPCC, which has provided care to more than 10,000 members of the Ballarat community since opening in November 2022.

Priority Primary Care Centres accept walk-ins and bookings and are staffed by highly qualified GPs and nurses who can treat a range of conditions that require urgent attention but not a hospital-led response, such as mild infections, fractures and burns. Data from the PPCCs show that lacerations, and infections such as tonsillitis, respiratory illness, and urinary tract infections are the most common presentations – conditions that do not necessarily require emergency care.

The centres are open after hours, up to seven days a week and on public holidays. There are 27 PPCCs operating across the state with nine located in regional Victoria – helping to take pressure off our busy emergency departments (EDs) and keep Triple Zero (000) lines free to handle emergencies that require an ambulance response.

So far, state-wide, PPCCs have provided more than 100,000 consultations, with around half of these occurring after hours.

Victorians should still call Triple Zero or attend their nearest ED in an emergency, and if their condition is then deemed to not require a hospital response, they maybe referred to their closest PPCC. Those with non-urgent medical needs should still, in the first instance, visit their regular GP for standard care or prescriptions.

Further information on PPCCs, including locations and opening hours, is available here: betterhealth.vic.gov.au/priority-primary-care-centres-ppccs

Quote attributable to Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison

“The Ballarat community have embraced Priority Primary Care Centres, with more than 10,000 local residents visiting since it opened last year.”

Quote attributable to Member for Eureka Michaela Settle

“Every trip to Ballarat Priority Primary Care Centre means fewer people end up in our emergency departments while still receiving free urgent healthcare.”