My Gran returned to Scotland after emmigrating to South Africa 40 years ago. She will be on the NHS.

I am not sure how there can be an argument when the person has come from a system with a reciprocal agreement. To me healthcare is a right and there is jack we can do about scroungers such as my Gran. We cannot say "here is your council flat, go die in it."

That's a good point "slightly overlooked"

If it is a compulsory ID card that indicates NHS entitlements.

The govt. refer to it as an "entitlement card"

I was told that your med records are returned to the local trust HQ and retained there......?

Oh brave man! I don't think I'd survive a fortnight living with mine

Yes dentists are free, the only catch being you will not find an NHS dentist that is taking patients. The dentist system is in chaos. The only way you will see a dentist when visiting the uk is to book a private one.

Oh yup theres the two tier healthcare system in oz but lets face it its shite! I can say that as a nurse working in the system and as a patient who has received terrible care at a even worst standard! The NHS had problems but it was free for those who needed it most.As for dentistry, not a problem been back here a week and kids are booked in for a check up with an NHS dentist. Everything here still cheap as chips. Shopped about a lot in oz and still found it expensive. Friends of ours emigrated recently and are finding exactly the same problems we encountered. Haven't even started on the poor education system down under! All I can say is you really don't realise what you have until its gone, you take it forgranted and whinge and moan about the state of the UK when in actual fact its far better 'the land of dreams'. Often people don't want to admit there are probs as they have invested an awful lot of time and money in making the big move, and I can understand that, however you need to go to oz on a validation trip without those rose tinted glasses (or beer goggles)! We know the problems australia has and can now make an informed decision about returning (which we will)! Our reasons for returning are that we love the weather (even on the stormy days), the climate suits our health needs (we get seasonal asthma when temp drops below 20 degrees) and the children are 'outdoor' kids. They swim, snorkle, run around in bare feet and are happier there. Education we can sort out and healthcare (well lets just say we have Medibank insurance). I get fed up of people painting this idyllic pic of oz, it gives people on here that haven't visted oz a false impression which can lead to disheartenment. Just face it theres litter, graffitti, crime, poor healthcare and a terrible education system and once your off that pound high, its expensive to boot! People sacrifice leaving their loved ones, good, secure employment to follow their dreams and I say go for it, but be aware of what your giving up! Right I'm ready for an ear bashing from those who live in the 'oz is wonderful bubble'!

You'll probably get a deafening silence!

Great site though this is, there are a great many who for one reason or another just can't bear the idea that someone has a less-than-enthusiastic word for an Aussie institution. The specs go on and the post is ignored - it might make uncomfortable reading!

I can bear reading about the downsides, I could do with the occasional paragraph to sweeten the pill though

Yeh, I know, get a life you pedantic prat

You were here how long? Three or four months? Spent all of it in Bayside Brisbane?

I've been here for 25 years and I disagree with you. You can't accuse me of wearing rose-coloured glasses after that length of time.

I've worked here for 25 years, had two children who were both born here, and have been educated here. My experience of healthcare and education has been nothing but positive.

Now which of us is right? You with your three months experience or me with my 25 years?

As for dentistry, not a problem been back here a week and kids are booked in for a check up with an NHS dentist. Everything here still cheap as chips.


I'll bet you're not living in Scarborough then....dentists are notorious for being a lack of there.........

Not a wide experience of the Oz health services, but - I've had three courses of antibiotics since I came here, all prescribed in clean health centres, with friendly helpful staff. I have been able to see doctors in the evening and on Sundays - try getting that from a GP surgery back in the UK!
OK, I have to pay, but the service has been worth it.

I'm sure there are lousy health centres here, and good ones in the UK, but personally, I prefer it here.

Thank you for that - it makes me feel more positive about coming over in a few weeks! My 2 year old was ill recently and trying to get a gp over here on a Saturday morning was unbelievably difficult!

Not all of them, but certainly in Brisbane a lot of the health centres are open till 8pm or later, and all day Sat & Sun into the bargain. You may have to wait, as in the evenings they don't give appointments at some, but my local one said - on a Sunday morning - turn up and you WILL be seen. 30 minutes later....sitting in consulting room. Many of them also have a pahrmacy on the premises, so no hunt for the nearest chemist.
Just remember it may be a case of phoning around, as they are all different hours-wise, and few seem to bulkbill, so it costs. But as I said before, its worth it.

During my time in Australia, I have spent about 3-4 months (in total) as an in patient in Hospital, in the Sydney area, and I was very happy with the service I received, all of which was also 100% covered by Medicare.

When a local Doctors was closed when we needed one, (10pm) the answerphone advised going to the A&E centre at the local hospital, which we did, and got pretty good service, and FREE medication too

I've known better hospitals in the UK and worse ones. It does depend on where and when you go. Some people are lucky, some are unlucky, but it doesn't mean that the "healthcare system in oz is shite.

A short term visitor to the UK, with a bad experience of a UK hospital could say exactly the same about the entire UK health service, would they be correct ?

I think both countries give a reasonable service.