The government should explain why their $5 million GP Super Clinic in Devonport fails to offer bulk billing services to the region's most vulnerable residents, says Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Christine Milne.

Senator Milne heard this morning that elderly patients are choosing to use local hospitals because they cannot afford treatment in the new super clinic.

"A hospice worker and carer for two elderly patients contacted my office this morning to inform me of the bitter disappointment felt among the Devonport community.

"I have heard that elderly patients expecting a bulk billed service have been shocked enough to get up, leave the super clinic where they were waiting to be treated and make their way to the hospital where they know treatment is free.

"Some of these patients actually shook hands with the Prime Minister during her fleeting visit to the clinic on Wednesday before learning of the unaffordable treatment on offer.

"This is not good enough. Yes it is welcome that these super clinics are being built, but what is the point of offering this range of services and health professionals when many in the community cannot afford to use them?

"One of the key objectives of the super clinics is to reduce pressure on local hospitals. The government must understand that in order for this to be effective the super clinics must duplicate a range of hospital services as well as their paying arrangements.

"The government is proudly spruiking onsite GP consultations in nursing homes as part of the services being offered, but how are elderly patients expected to benefit from this when the only treatment they can afford is at the hospital?

"I appreciate the clinics are run as private billing practices, but the government is spending millions of public dollars without a caveat that the super clinics offer bulk billing for Tasmanians eligible for a concession card."

Another GP super clinic being built in Burnie is being criticised for its ill thought location. Greens federal Braddon candidate, Scott Jordan says it offers poor access for the Burnie community.

"The clinic is being built at a bottleneck on the Bass Highway, and it sits on the Burnie to Wynyard bus route where buses come just once an hour and not at all on Sundays."