Re: How to get a GP
 

Yeah...simple...:eek:

But doesnt explain the paed does it?

Re: How to get a GP
 

I agree. If I had to go all the time I would use a free one too.

Most do accept scheduled fee for kids but I guess some don't feel the standard 15 min consultation fee is enough to cover their staff costs, overheads etc. Couldn't tell you who is right but I'm pretty sure the fee hasn't kept pace with inflation over the years so gp's have probably already covered some of the increases.

Re: How to get a GP
 

Maybe :) The Drs who only have a couple of Gps probably find it harder. The more Gps the more the revenue I guess. Do you think they get kick backs for referals to private specialists? Just something I wonder...randomly...to myself...:o

Re: How to get a GP
 

Not really. Did she treat your son in public hospital and then you made a follow-up appointment with her private practice intead of as a public outpatient without realising? Many specialists do both. I'm only guessing at the circumstances. I wish we had experts reading who could tell us 100%. are you in vic?

Re: How to get a GP
 

Your DR can send you to a specialist in a Private Hospital and put Bulk Bill on the referral.
Re PBS and non PBS scripts , there is a lot of price difference if you shop by generic brands


http://www.chemistwarehouse.com.au/home.asp

Re: How to get a GP
 

There are no bulk-billing GPs around us, I would have to drive for at least 20 minutes to find one. Even then, their books might well be full and they can't take new patients.

Yes, if your child attends as an outpatient at a public hospital, you wouldn't have to pay, but the one and only Perth hospital for kids has limited outpatient activities. Some health conditions are better served than others. I hear of regular outpatient clinics for kids with diabetes, for example. However, I also know of several mums who were concerned about their kids being overweight or obese. They tried to get help from their GPs, who referred them to the kids hospital. They were turned away from the kids obesity clinics at that hospital because they weren't fat enought:blink: (and yes, there are overweight/obese kids developing Type 2 diabetes:eek:). Only the most serious cases are seen, because the WA governments (whichever party) do not put sufficient funds into healthcare. There might not be the right sort of low-cost/free community-based programmes available, or the parents might not have the funds to pay for private sessions.

The limited number of specialists available means that it can be hard to get an appointment for your child, even if you do go privately. Another thing to remember is that doctors do their training - general and specialist - in hospitals, so you might not get to see one with a lot of experience/expertise. Also, doctors are free to choose whether to be in public and/or private practice. This is not just an Australian/Perth thing, though.

Re: How to get a GP
 

Yes, in Vic. I think this is the case, but she doesnt do hospital outpatient visits, just has everyone go to her rooms, that she shares with 2 other paeds..one of which we would have got if they were on duty the day Flynn was admitted. She has now been promoted to head of S/E paeds, so we are so lucky to see her at all! AND I'm not complaining at paying to see her persay, she is someone I hold in very high regard and totally value her time and commitment to my boys :wub: Its just that the whole system is confusing and often so costly, especially for those of us unfortunate to need it a lot! It would be nice if it were clearer really.

Re: How to get a GP
 

Sometimes you don't get much back from Medicare, especially if the private doctor is charging way over the scheduled fee. Some tests do not receive any Medicare or private health rebate, for example, my son had a MRI today and it cost $330 :eek: - no rebate from anywhere:thumbdown:. It cost $150 to see the specialist GP who ordered the MRI and we have to go back in a couple of days to get the results (probably another $150, but I don't mind so much with this bloke because he's very good). Apparently an ultrasound wouldn't have picked up the problem. Why doesn't Medicare or our health fund give rebates for MRIs?

If I had taken my child to the non-BB GP, I would have been hit with a fee and probably told to see a physio, which would have been a private one (another fee). It is most unlikely that my child would have been referred to the kids hospital and if he was, it would probably have been a wait of several months to be seen in the outpatients dept (I know this is the case, because we had some outpatient physio before). In the meantime, he can't carry out his normal everyday activities and the injury could get worse. This household definitely needs to win lotto!

Re: How to get a GP
 

ooo, not good mate :(

Son No 1 has an MRI under anesthetic ever 2 years...never had to pay for one..thank god! It would seem WA are streets behind Vic in funded care then?

Re: How to get a GP
 

Yeah I agree some of that sounds like public system issues around the world...some hospitals fast waiting times, some not depending on location and specialty. Not surprised an obesity clinic has too set a limit higher than people would like. Sounds like the sort of newer specialty service that would be underfunded.

Brisbane has three dedicated children's hospitals (1 private). Do other general hospitals do children's stuff as well?

Wow, I'm amazed you have a 20 minute drive to find a bulk billing gp in perth...you are in metro perth right? (I assume that means a 15-20km drive in all directions from where you live?)

Your area must be subsidising the rest of Perth/WA because 72.5% of GP visits are free in WA. You should protest :eek:

I live in metro Brisbane and I can access multiple GP's that bulk bill children 5 minutes "walk" away.

Re: How to get a GP
 

Oh I see. She only works private. Bugger....shame when you like her.

It is confusing. They should have one of those diagrams with Yes/No triangles and lines that lead you to the right service. :)

Re: How to get a GP
 

Yeah a problem until you see a public outpatient specialist. I think when they refer you for services they are usually free.

When you say it is unlikely he would be referred to the kids hospital why is that? Surely you can just tell your GP you wish him to be seen as a public patient?

Can you book an appointment with a public specialist (and continue your private appts in the meantime) so eventually he would be part of the public system when the appointment falls due?

Re: How to get a GP
 

Perth has only one children's hospital. Some surgical procedures might be done at private hospitals, though. I have also heard some mums taking their kids to one private hospital for emergency assessment, but I believe that every kid will end up at the one children's hospital.

I live in metro Perth, a whopping 12 km from the GPO. Dorothy has been kind enough to give me the name of her medical centre, but it would take me 20-30 mins to drive there, up a highway with a 80 kph speed limit (and the odd set of traffic lights;). It's also away from where the kids go to school. I did this for 9 years until recently, but have not changed GPs. The previous one used to give us the odd BB visit for the kids, here or there.

In the "richer" areas (where not all the residents are rich:rofl:), the GPs know that they will get the customers to pay for their services, so they charge accordingly and tend not to BB.

Re: How to get a GP
 

I think this is the list of medicare eligible MRI machines in WA if this is any help in the future? Bit out of date though (2005):

6000 Perth Imaging, Mount Medical Centre Mounts Bay Rd Perth 1.5T BA165
6000 Royal Perth Hospital Wellington St Perth 1.0T AH125
6008 Magnetic Resonance Centre Hamersley Rd Subiaco 1.5T
6008 St John of God Hospital Cambridge St Subiaco 1.5T
6009 Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital Verdun St Nedlands 1.5T 1144
6150 St John of God Hospital Murdoch Dr Murdoch 1.5T 7191

Re: How to get a GP
 

I have written previously about a bad experience at this hospital last year. I intend to never go there again. This means that we pay through the nose, but at least our child gets what he needs. During his rehab, I met other parents doing the same thing, some even had 2 private health policies for different treatments. What I need to do, is find a way to get affordable and competent medical care - a little project for me when the kids go back to school next week;).

Re: How to get a GP
 

Wow 12km's out and no bulk billing for kids for 15 km in any direction. I am truly amazed. In Brisbane 12km out I would have access to dozens of GP's who would bulk bill kids within a 15km circle. And many who would bulk bill adults as well.

I live 4km from Brisbane CBD and as I said we have multiple GP's within walking distance who bulk bill children. Less who bulk bill adults than you might find 12km out but lots who will for kids. What is going on over there :eek:

Re: How to get a GP
 

:( Time to move states :ohmy:

Re: How to get a GP
 

Thanks, I'll look into those tomorrow. No good for this time, but just in case we need it again:fingerscrossed:. I'll ask the specialist GP next time we see him, as he is in a clinic at one of those hospitals. The form we had to fill in today clearly stated that there is no Medicare rebate on MRIs and no private cover rebates either.

Re: How to get a GP
 

Time to move countries ;)

Re: How to get a GP
 

Re. fees charged, I want my periodontist's job. I was persuaded by a previous GP here to try bisphosphonates for my osteoporosis; six months later I had gaping great holes in my jawbone and now I need to see the periodontist every six months if I want to hang on to my teeth.

He charges me $275 for a 15 minute clean-up. Not claimable :(

Re: How to get a GP
 

Oh, that won't help, you'll lose 2 years off your life expectancy ;)

Re: How to get a GP
 

BUT she was the paed assigned to us in a public hospital.....its just nuts. That said shes worth every penny and has saved my sanity and potentially (through a hunch that turned into something HUGE) saved my boy from being unable to walk when hes older... I would pay her anything she asked :lol:

Re: How to get a GP
 

That's not fair, Seasider, when ONJ is a known side-effect of this group of drugs. Did the GP warn you and is there any compensation possible? Is there a public dental hospital you can be referred to?

Re: How to get a GP
 

I think that is the issue - Australia isnt a place with universal free health care and if that is what you are expecting then it isnt going to happen. No good comparing the health service on where you have come from, this is Australia and it is different, no matter how much you wish it werent. It seems like self insuring might be the way to go - have an account where you deposit savings for medical expenses and then dip into it when needed. Hopefully you dont need it all the time and you really only need to spend just over $1000 out of pocket for the safety net to kick in, so if you can budget for $1000 to kick start your self insurance then you will probably keep ahead of the game. Medications maybe need a separate account especially if you take a lot of them, but, again the safety net kicks in over about $1k

There are certainly some areas where bulk billing is almost non existent - Canberra being one of them. This is probably to do with the market - we are seriously short of GPs (they reckon we could do with another 50 or so) and so they are in the box seat with respect to charging. The big medical centres havent really got off the ground here either - probably because they cant attract the staff like they can in the more popular places like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, and it is generally the big centre based practices which are more likely to bulk bill. Canberrans also like the continuity of care model I suspect. I guess we may consider their charges to be extortionate but they do have to pay for overheads, staff, insurances etc and so it probably isnt quite as lucrative as we expect - I know obstetrics insurance is phenomenally expensive for example.

Yesterday I forked out $100 for a specialist for 10 minutes consultation and got $35 back from medicare. I need minor surgery and as I have private health it will take 3 - 4 weeks, his estimate in the public system (when he, the expert, wouldnt be doing it, only supervising someone else to do it) was 12 - 18 months. Not sure I want to be waiting that long! I always just expect to pay and then when I dont it comes as a nice surprise!!!

Re: How to get a GP
 

I don't agree with this. Australia does have a universal free healthcare system running in conjunction with a private system.

Free hospitals = NHS
Free public hospital outpatient specialists = NHS
80% free GP visits = almost NHS (Canberra 50%)

I think on balance that can be considered free universal healthcare as almost the same as NHS despite having a more extensive private system and I don't think the term is that tightly defined. Like all universal healthcare systems the NHS has many geographic access issues as well which make it less than ideal, in London particularly.

Re: How to get a GP
 

I paid to see the doctor for my son a few months ago it was $70 and i got back $34 ,it was the same day appointment i waited just over an hour to see them.

I went to a bulk billing doctors not long ago and waited nearly 3 hours with no appointment system but did not pay!

We also have an appointment system at our local hospital which is out of hours if you need to see a doctor urgent. (bulk bill)

I try to attend womens health clinics either through the local hospitals or community based and they are really good and they are mostly bulk billed.

I am still on the hunt to find a good doctor for my son either to pay or bulk bill but i have found must of the doctors around here they have closed there books so just got to keep a look out for a good doctor :fingerscrossed:

Re: How to get a GP
 

I know that there are differences in healthcare between countries, and I know how things work in Australia - I just don't think that they work that well or fairly. I think it is fair to say that in early childhood health and development, there are bigger gaps in the system here than you might expect for a country as wealthy as Australia.

We have 'top of the table' private health cover and we use it where we can, as we also use Medicare where we can. A major issue is the gaps in the rebates between the scheduled fee and what you actually have to pay - sometimes it is just too high, especially if a member of your family has a chronic disease. In that case, you might have to rely on public hospital services, or you'd just go broke unless you were rich.

You might get complete cover from your private health cover for in-patient treatment, but nothing for out-patient services. Public hospital services for in- and out-patient treatment are covered, if you can wait that long, or if the treatment you need is available in public services. Would you want to wait for cancer treatment for your or your child, or surgery if you have cardiovascular disease?

Re: How to get a GP
 

The UK can no longer afford the NHS in it's present form. Expect change (ie pay for certain things) and expect it soon.

Re: How to get a GP
 

I've seen no evidence that you would wait longer under medicare for cancer treatment than you would under the NHS. Australia has better cancer success rates for many treatments than the UK so figures would suggest otherwise.

Re: How to get a GP
 

Any geographic access issues in the UK are just not on the same scale as Australia, though. A lot of country towns in WA struggle to find and keep GPs - is this a problem elsewhere?

Some states seem to offer much better healthcare for their citizens than other states. Things are even worse for country residents. It doesn't seem right for this disparity to happen.

Re: How to get a GP
 

Me either. My Mum was diagnosed with breast cancer the week after a dodgy mammogram. It was the week of Christmas. By January she had had the boob removed, a total reconstruction done and was on medication....

She was then offered chemo, but decided against it after weighing up the odds etc...that was 3 years ago :thumbsup: She also has to have another op to do with the reconstruction later this year....she doesnt have private health at all and has recieved nothing but the best care.

But I agree with Helen, for kids, in such a wealthy country, the out of pocket expenses for private health (when this is seemingly the only option) are disgusting really, its a business, pure and simple :sneaky:

Re: How to get a GP
 

When in NSW our Dr flew from Canberra -stayed Monday / Friday then went home for the weekend. No other Drs for 120kms , subsidized Dentist folded after Bob Carr took away funding -so no Dentist.

But as far as specialist care goes all States have - Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS) and BB for specialist care. (rural )

Re: How to get a GP
 

Understandably, sometimes Australia struggles with remoteness and distance. Understandably, sometimes the UK struggles with overcrowding. In both countries it can be postcode lottery healthcare. Just based on different issues. On most measured outcomes Australia's healthcare seems to stack up against the NHS. Some better, some worse. I certainly agree it is nowhere near perfect.

Re: How to get a GP
 

It wasnt originally designed to be a universal free healthcare system - Medicare was originally designed to be a co-pay system with bulk billing the safety net for those who could not afford the co-payment. And that is still the expectation - well, at least amongst most of the Australians I associate with.

If you need essential medical intervention in case of cancer or accident then Australia is as good as anywhere - it is for the elective stuff that it lags behind and, again, Canberra is amongst the worst service in the country which is surprising.

Re: How to get a GP
 

I agree with some GP's there is a co-payment as discussed, but I don't know why your friends would expect co-payments in a public hospital when there are none. This was always the intention of the original system and has remained the case. Maybe I'll set up a public hospital in Canberra and start taking a cut off your friends ;)

Do you have a reference that compares elective surgery between the two systems?

Re: How to get a GP
 

Has that changed then in the last 4 years since i moved, or is it different in england to Scotland?:confused:
I always had regular pap smears in the uk from an early age with no family history no problem. As far as i know Mammograms were only done regularly for over 50's unless you had a history or noticed a lump though.

Re: How to get a GP
 

Getting a full picture gets a bit murky, made more difficult by differences in data collection and now some public patients are getting surgery carried out in private hospitals. You might find something useful here: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ma...ph-index09.htm

Lots of others refs out there:).

Re: How to get a GP
 

The NHS Cervical Screening Programme http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Cerv...ening-Test.htm

Cervical screening is a free service on the NHS. Depending on which country you live in, you may be called at different ages for cervical screening:.

• First invitation for screening in England is at age 25. It is age 20 in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
• Routine recall (repeat screening test):

• Women over 65 years of age should be screened if:

• Cervical screening does not stop simply due to age until a woman with a previously abnormal cervical screening test has had 3 negative results.

.

Re: How to get a GP
 

Ah, I see, but it is a bit odd and strange how, despite it being a national health service, they make the start point for screening a different age - you would think they would have a medical perspective on what age was the best to start from and apply it across the board.:huh:

Re: How to get a GP
 

The health researchers would have collected data about how many cases of cervical cancers occur, normal or abnormal tests, age of women having the test, etc, etc. They would also have data on the age that women become sexually active (looking at such things as contraceptive pill prescriptions), and match their Pap smear programmes to local data and this would vary from country to country - see below for US and Canada.

From another website (http://www.womens-health.co.uk/pap.html)

When to Start and How Often?
In the UK women who have a registered general practitioner (GP) will be asked to have their first Pap test once they turn 25, since before this age cervical cancers rates are extremely low. In the US and Canada, women who are 18 or older are encouraged to take the test. There is, however, no set age at which it is optimal to begin having Pap tests.
If you are under 25 and have been sexually active for more than three years, then it is recommended that you have a Pap test. The three-year waiting period is encouraged so as to avoid overtreating common abnormalities that can occur within the first years a woman becomes sexually active.