Goulburn Hospital Faces More Visits After Medical Clinic Closes

Residents in Goulburn, New South Wales, are raising concerns about pressure on the local hospital following the closure of the city’s urgent care clinic. The Goulburn Urgent Care Service, which was based at Marima Medical Clinic (17–19 Clifford St, Goulburn), ceased operations on 30 June 2025.

The clinic was set up to treat minor injuries and illnesses — for example, small cuts, strains and fevers — to reduce non‑urgent demand on the Goulburn Base Hospital emergency department. SNSWLHD data, reported by the Goulburn Post, shows Goulburn Base Hospital experienced a four per cent increase in emergency department presentations after the service closed; the article notes this rise may be ‘possibly due in part’ to the urgent care closure.

Wendy Tuckerman, the Member for Goulburn, criticised the decision to end the service, saying it shifts a heavy burden onto Goulburn Base Hospital. NSW Health and COORDINARE (the South Eastern NSW Primary Health Network) said the service was ending because of workforce and operational challenges — including difficulty attracting and retaining the required clinical staff for a sustainable service — and periods of lower‑than‑expected patient volumes.

Goulburn Mulwaree Council has written to state and federal health ministers seeking answers, noting many families relied on the clinic for bulk‑billed, after‑hours urgent care. COORDINARE confirmed the service would cease on 30 June 2025 in line with current contract arrangements and said Marima Medical Clinic will continue to operate as a general practice.

Bureau of Health Information performance reporting indicates Goulburn Base Hospital continues to manage its workload overall, but local media and community members have reported longer waits and increased pressure on ED services since the urgent care closure. Community advocates and local councillors are calling for a replacement or revised urgent care model to help manage the region’s growing healthcare needs.