Sunbound

Son is scheduled for an operation for a hernia just before we arrive in Queensland and of course as parents do, were beside ourselves with worry that he will contract MRSA or similar whilst he's in for the op.
Now i'm wondering whether we should put it off till we get to Oz? Is there the same problem in Oz as the Uk with these superbugs? Would we have a wait for the same operation ? What would it cost?
Help !!!

Dorothy

Yes, there is MRSA in Australia too. If you are on a PR then the operation will be covered by Medicare. However, you would need to get yourself a GP, be referred to a specialist, put on the wait list and then wait to have it done.

Sunbound

Hi Dorothy,thats what i thought. I dont want him to wait really.The likelyhood of him contracting it in a day surgery is very small so i'm going to have to say my prayers i think. If it was me i'd not be worried but when its a child its a whole different ball game.
Thanks

michelle doran

Hi,
Please don't worry.
Having been a district nurse in UK & OZ, i can tell you that MRSA affects most corners of the earth! But please be assured that MRSA is always going to be a HUGE issue when the media are portraying it (UK media is far more aggressive than Oz), and although healthcare workers are not dismissing it.....we face the reality of it, and the cases that do occur are often simple to treat. MRSA only causes a real threat to those with poor immunity .....elderly/frail & people with multiple illnesses. Simple handwashing is enough to prevent it.
I would go for op in the UK, as although we moan about the NHS i have now seen 2 sides to the coin......it has made me appreciate the high standard of knowledge/care in the UK.
If you do decide to wait, it is easy enough to get onto the lists, but they do veiw necessity of operations differently e.g tonsilectomy is still fairly common in UK for kids, but here they avoid it (my son could do with one!!!).

Wherever you decide, i'm sure he will be well looked after.....good luck.

Sunbound

Thanks for your reply Michelle. Its been very helpful. Although it doesn't seem to be affecting him daily ,to delay it could cause allsorts of problems.The NHS have managed to get us assessed and a date 2 weeks prior to us flying out for his op in the space of about a month which is good going and they bumped us up the queue at every opportunity. Although i was persistant !! Theyve been very helpful.
We'll have the op done here i think and i'm sure he'll be fine.

jad n rich

As others have said superbugs present in australia, quite a few wards were shut down last year in brisbane due to problem.

I would get the surgery in the UK. Waiting lists in many part of aus, def QLD are long if you want something free on medicare. I know many of the surgeons at the kids hospital have been forced to take all leave owing, waiting lists can be huge.

But you can pay, as many people do due to waiting lists I just had a small day thing ( 15 minute procedure) done its costing about $1500, well probably 1700 now as I forgot to include pathology costs, however my private health insurance will cover most of it.

I'd opt for the UK TBH.