Labor spending millions more on urgent care clinics without evidence they work, experts say

Experts have criticised Labor’s 2024 budget for expanding urgent clinic funding in the absence of information on the program’s effectiveness. Photograph: Penny Stephens/The Guardian

Doctors and health policy experts have questioned the federal government’s decision to fund an extra 29 urgent care clinics in the absence of strong evidence that they work.

Tuesday’s budget included $227m to fund the clinics, which will bring the total number across Australia to 87. The clinics offer bulk-billed walk-in care, seven days a week over extended hours, with the intention of reducing the burden on emergency departments and easing out-of-pocket health costs.