Living in Australia has many perks. From its stunning landscape to its laidback lifestyle, it’s easy to see why Australia has been dubbed the Lucky Country.
However, there are certain drawbacks to life in the Lucky Country. Eye-watering property prices, a high cost of living, and expensive medical care to name but three.
While medical treatment is not as costly as in the United States or certain countries in Europe, Australians do have to stump up a pretty penny for healthcare. So much so, that it seems some Aussies are choosing to skip seeing their doctor simply to save money.
A recent report released by the Bureau of Health Information highlights this.
Comparing the New South Wales healthcare system with 11 countries around the world, the report shows that while satisfaction with the NSW system has doubled in the past three years, the cost of treatment prevents some people from using it.
According to the report, 15% of people said they had skipped seeking medical treatment, filling a prescription or getting basic medical tests to save money. One third did not see the dentist because they could not afford to.
“It’s not the first time that the report has highlighted high cost,” Bureau of Health Information chief executive Jean-Frederic Levesque said.
“When we compare with other systems like the UK, we have a higher proportion having to skip consultations, medications or tests.”
The report also showed that one in five people said they spend more than $1000 a year on medical expenses, which placed NSW second only to the US in healthcare spending.
Skipping check-ups
While skipping medical treatment is one thing, skipping medical check-ups is another. The report showed that just 60% of adults in NSW had their blood pressure checked in the past year, which is the lowest rate internationally.
Less than half had their cholesterol checked during the same period, while worryingly, 20% of women aged 20 to 69 had never had a pap smear.
Australian Medication Association NSW head Brian Owler said busy doctors, especially those who bulk bill, “just don’t have the time” to spend on preventative health.
“The more people shift away from their family doctor and go to medical centres means all the preventative checks you should be having on a regular basis get missed,” Owler said.
Despite this, Dr Levesque stated that on the whole, the report was “very positive”. He said, “Overall, the results confirm that NSW provides good care – and that there’s good value for money.”
The Stats
The report compared data from the UK, Switzerland, Netherlands, Australia, Norway, New Zealand, Sweden, Germany, France, Canada and the US.
The Good:
- NSW had the highest proportion of adults reporting that hospitals ensured follow-up after hospitalisation (81%).
- NSW ranked third highest in the percentage of adults who said hospital staff discussed medications with them (86%).
- NSW has relatively short hospital stays.
The Not-So-Good:
- 37% of adults said their GP surgery helped coordinate their care, down from 54% in 2010.
- 15% of people in NSW said they would skip a consultation or medication due to cost.
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