Canberra's walk-in medical centres could soon offer more services

Chief Minister Andrew Barr said under the plan there would always be a nurse practitioner on duty at each of the five clinics across Canberra.

There were currently 15 nurse practitioners working across the network. This would be increased to 20 under Labor's plan.

Nurse practitioners can order and interpret diagnostic tests and prescribe certain medications such as antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. They can make specialist referrals and support the management of chronic conditions alongside primary and tertiary healthcare providers.

"Nurses and allied health workers at the centres already provide excellent care for injuries and illness including colds and flu, sprains and strains, skin conditions and rashes, and minor wounds and infections," Mr Barr said.

"Labor's plan will see walk-in centres treat a wider range of injuries and illnesses.

"We will employ more nurse practitioners in our walk-in centres to ensure there is always a nurse practitioner available at each of the five centres in our city-wide network."

Mr Barr said his government would also establish an outpatient imaging service at Weston Creek Walk-in Centre with CT, ultrasound and X-ray services if re-elected.

"Our nurse-led walk-in centres have been there when we needed them most, including providing vital testing for COVID-19," he said.

"Under ACT Labor, we will deliver even more healthcare services at our nurse-led walk-in centres, taking pressure off our emergency departments and delivering free, accessible public healthcare across the city.

"An ACT Labor government will ensure nurse-led walk-in centres continue to provide free healthcare for Canberrans seven days a week."

Nurse-led walk-in centres have proved popular with Canberrans, but some doctors have questioned their public health benefits.

They say the government should instead be providing funding for more bulk billing GP clinics.

Groups like the Australian Medical Association and the The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners do not support the nurse-led model, instead supporting a model of integrated centres with nurses and doctors.

Figures from 2018 show the clinics cost taxpayers $188 per visit, compared to about $38 for a bulk billed GP visit.

"Our concern from day one has been that the walk-in centres do not represent good value for money," AMA ACT president Antonio Di Dio said previously.

The Canberra Liberals have also been critical of the city's walk-in centres.

There are currently clinics in Tuggeranong, Gungahlin, Weston Creek, Dickson and Belconnen.