SEMPHN

15/01/2026

We’re pleased to announce we have recommissioned the care finder service for another 3 years, ensuring vulnerable older people in south east Melbourne continue to have free assistance with navigating and accessing aged care support services within their community.

Following re-funding, we conducted a rigorous open tender process in October 2025. Over the coming weeks, we’ll be working closely with current and new care finder providers to transition clients where required.

Thank you to all the care finder partner organisations who have supported hundreds of our community members to date.

👉 Learn more:

Welcome to South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (SEMPHN). We fund health services across south eastern Melbourne and work with health professionals to improve health outcomes across the catchment.

13/01/2026

Providers registered for the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program (BBPIP) must add bank account details to receive their first incentive payment in January 2026.

Add bank account details for the MyMedicare Incentives program through the Services Australia website.

👉For easy-to-follow instructions, visit - https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/manage-your-details-hpos?context=20

12/01/2026

Urgent care through summer

Rain or shine, summer is a chance to get outside and enjoy the warmer months with family and friends.

Summer is also a time when there’s usually a reported increase in the number of hospital admissions for certain injuries, such as falls from ladders, injuries from tools and machinery, and sports injuries.

What if you have an injury or illness that needs medical attention the same day but isn’t an emergency?

A visit to a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic means you don’t have to wait at the emergency department.

Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are:
☀️ Bulk billed, so services are free
☀️ Walk-in, so you don’t need an appointment or referral
☀️ Open 7 days for extended hours
☀️ Staffed by GPs and nurses.

To find your nearest clinic visit health.gov.au/MedicareUCC

10/01/2026

Urgent care for summer setbacks

Unexpected injuries and illnesses can be a serious setback to holiday and travel plans.
If you have something that can’t wait for a regular GP appointment but doesn’t need a trip to the hospital, that’s a case for a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic.

Urgent care is when you have an illness or injury that needs medical attention the same day but isn’t life-threatening.

Things that may need urgent medical care include minor fractures, sprains; minor infections; mild burns; respiratory illness; severe stomach pains; or urinary tract infections.

To find your nearest clinic visit health.gov.au/MedicareUCC

08/01/2026

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07/01/2026

More urgent care, closer to home 💚

Four new Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are now open in south east Melbourne, bringing the total commissioned by SEMPHN to eight Clinics across the region.

They’re ideal for illnesses or injuries that can’t wait for a regular GP visit — but don’t need an emergency department.

🚨 In an emergency, always call 000.
📍 Find your nearest clinic in south east Melbourne at https://ow.ly/nZXV50XSJyp

06/01/2026

06/01/2026

Severe heatwave and extreme fire danger warnings are in place for later this week.

While extreme heat can affect anyone, people who are young, older, who are pregnant, have acute or chronic health problems, are socially isolated or have limited ways to keep cool are more at risk.

Tips to protect yourself and others:
💦 Stay cool. Use air conditioning and/or a fan. Wear light and loose clothing. Keep skin wet, using a spray bottle or damp sponge and by taking cool showers. If you can’t keep cool at home, think about where you can go on hot days to cool down such as public pools or air-conditioned buildings.
🫗 Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water. Keep drinking fluids before you feel thirsty, especially if outdoors and performing physical activity.
☎️ Check in with family, friends and neighbours. Let people know you are OK and check in with those at increased risk or who may need your support. Look out for those who might be more affected by extreme heat.
📆 Plan ahead. Watch the weather forecast and plan activities at cooler times of day.
🚫 Hot cars kill. Never leave kids, adults or pets in cars. The temperature inside a parked car can double within minutes.
🧑‍⚕️ If needed, call Nurse-On-Call on 1300 60 60 24 or contact Victorian Virtual Emergency Department at https://www.vved.org.au/
👮‍♂️ In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

For more information:
• Bureau of Meteorology heatwave warnings: https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/specialised-forecasts-and-observations/heatwave
• Better Health Channel advice for extreme heat - https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/extreme-heat
• VicEmergency: https://emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/
• CFA total fire bans and danger ratings: https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/warnings-restrictions/fire-bans-ratings-and-restrictions/total-fire-bans-fire-danger-ratings

05/01/2026

We’re pleased to announce we are commissioning Dandenong Superclinic to establish an Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinic (EPPC) in south east Melbourne.

Endometriosis affects at least 1 in 7 Australian women, often causing chronic pain and fertility issues. Pelvic pain is similarly complex and debilitating, with broader social and economic impacts.

The new clinic is one of 11 EPPCs the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is establishing across Australia, expanding access to specialised care for women and girls living in the regions and outer suburbs.

👉 Learn more:

Welcome to South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (SEMPHN). We fund health services across south eastern Melbourne and work with health professionals to improve health outcomes across the catchment.

05/01/2026

A big milestone for urgent care in Victoria 💚

Urgent Care Clinics have now supported one million visits, helping people get the care they need without always going to a busy Emergency Department.

With four new Clinics now open, SEMPHN commissions eight Urgent Care Clinics across south east Melbourne, providing care for everyday urgent issues.

🚨 In an emergency, call 000.
Find your nearest clinic: 👉 https://www.semphn.org.au/medicare-urgent-care-clinics

Victoria’s Urgent Care Clinics have now supported one million visits, helping families get the care they need without always having to head to a busy Emergency Department.

Since September 2022, Urgent Care Clinics have opened across Victoria, treating everyday urgent issues like cuts, minor burns, suspected fractures and infections. The kind of things that need care now, but are not always an emergency.

Each clinic is staffed by experienced GPs and nurses, with walk-ins and bookings available. Together, they now support more than 7,500 people every week, keeping care closer to home for families right across Victoria.

In an emergency, always call 000 or go to your nearest Emergency Department. Those with non-urgent medical needs should visit their regular GP for everyday care or prescriptions.

To find out more: https://go.vic.gov.au/3MO7hUB

05/01/2026

Great news for our communities 💙

Four new Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are now open in Carnegie, Sandringham, Somerville and Pakenham.

These clinics offer free, GP-led urgent care for non-life-threatening conditions and are open 14 hours a day, 7 days a week — helping people get the right care, closer to home.

They build on the success of SEMPHN’s existing clinics, which have already supported more than 172,000 visits across south east Melbourne.

👉 Learn more and read the full story here: https://ow.ly/lzFb50XRMEh

05/01/2026

If your practice has registered for the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program (BPPIP) and meets program requirements, your first BBPIP payment will be made in January 2026.

To ensure smooth payment:
✔ Check your registration start date.
✔ Add bank account details for your practice and providers.
✔ Keep accreditation details up to date.
✔ Link all providers and use separate provider numbers for each site.

To learn more and make sure your practice is ready, visit Services Australia - https://ow.ly/5qaG50XMZvS