Year-long waiting lists and high medical fees are causing people in NSW to stop or delay treatment, health professionals say.
A Bureau of Health Information report shows that despite NSW having one of the best healthcare systems in the world, 15per cent of patients put off GP visits, filling a prescription and getting basic medical tests because of out-of-pocket expenses.
One third did not see the dentist because they could not afford to.
Doctors were also concerned preventative health measures were being left behind, with many patients not getting basic check-ups that could prevent serious illness.
The 2013 report, which compares Australia with 11 other developed countries, shows just six in 10 adults had their blood pressure checked in the previous year – the lowest rate internationally.
The head of the Consumers Health Forum, Adam Stankevicius, said the failures of basic medical attention were ‘‘disturbing’’.
“While many people do not face high costs when they go to the GP, they are not receiving the minimum checks expected,’’ he said.
Australian Medication Association NSW head Brian Owler said over-worked doctors, many 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,’’ Professor Owler said.
People who did not see bulk-billing doctors could face costs of more than $35 for a standard visit he said. The report shows that one-in-five patients spent more than $1000 annually on medical expenses – second only to the US.
However, half of adults questioned said the system worked well, reporting relatively short hospital stays and the highest rates of follow-up after hospitalisation compared to Britain, France and New Zealand. NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner said it was ‘‘heartening’’ patients across NSW are receiving world-class public health care.’’
But Professor Owler said fewer than half of adults had their cholesterol checked in the past year and almost 20per cent of women aged 20 to 69 had never had a pap smear which was ‘‘concerning.’’
The report also said that more than 30per cent of babies were born by caesarean, the highest rate internationally.
Professor Owler said the data did not support claims that emergency departments were clogged with patients with minor ailments.
‘‘We shouldn’t be charging people to go to emergency departments for treatment,’’ he said.
Source: Brisbane Times