anyone else in Oz missing the NHS?

[audre]

Hi all

 

let me see if i get this right: in britain, we have the NHS. free healtcare, or very low costs for most things (e.g. dental).

 

in Australia, we pay for most of the medical costs (those refunds wont go far).

AND we have been told some doctors bulk bill and some dont? and this entirely depends on them but most dont bulk bill? whats the deal with that?

 

so if your kid needs braces, will this cost like thousands of dollars? also, if you want to have a wisdom tooth removed, this also costs a thousand dollars? i know dental care is also paid in the UK but when im told teeth cleaning costs 200 dollars in Oz, i cant help but cringe.

 

what are your experiences? we are a young couple so never had any medical issues and have lived in britain, but im thinking of the future, kids etc...

i find myself missing NHS...:arghh:

[Paul1Perth]

Don't panic. We've been here over 20 years, our kids have grown up here, we've been to dentists, doctor (bulk bills), hospital lots of times, kids both had braces. Sure it costs a lot. NHS isn't "free" btw you are paying for it.

 

Honestly found the service at the docs and hospitals to be next to no different from the NHS. Dentist has been more but the dentist we have has been brilliant. I've had 2 caps on my teeth and me and the wife have had some serious work done. We've had to pay but we only have one set of teeth and have felt like we've had value for money. I wouldn't be paying 200 dollars for a clean and I'll admit to not going for my 6 monthly checkups. I didn't in the UK and I don't here, I go when I have something wrong.

 

Fair enough the kids braces were expensive but both of them needed them. At the end of the treatment they both have excellent teeth and feel like we got value for money.

 

If you get sick and have to go through A&E and you have a medicare card you would be unlucky to have to pay anything. We've had the usual broken arms, bad sprains, wife had a bad migrain, I've been through A&E a few times and never paid a cent.

 

We had our youngest in a public hospital here and it was great. Didn't cost a penny. My wifes nurse and a qualified midwife and wanted it like that. Said the best people that can look after you are midwives.

 

You don't have that many wisdom teeth and I can remember having mine out when I was a student in the UK as it wouldn't cost me anything. Otherwise I would have had to pay. Chances are you might go your whole life and not have them removed. Don't start worrying yet, like you say you are a young healthy couple and at that time of life health costs are low and nothing to worry about.

 

I am in my 60's and my wife late 50's, kids 18 and 24. 24 year old has a congenital hip disorder and will need hip replacement surgery at some time. Youngest one has autism and has has some great support. Sure it costs but the treatment we've had for us and the kids wouldn't have all been covered by the NHS anyway.

Edited April 23, 2014 by Paul1Perth

[calNgary]

Dentists and Dr;s/ healthcare are two totally different things in my book.

 

Dentists can be expensive for adults ,end of, but children dont do too bad. They have access to the school dentist free of charge where check ups are done and fillings etc can be given, i also receive a $1000 voucher per child to cover dentistry costs over a 24mth period so IMO thats not to bad.

 

Dr's do somewhat come down to personal choice. My kids and hubby see a bulk bill Dr and don't pay, over the years here they have had stitches, x-rays ,scans and blood tests again all free.

My GP doesnt bulk bill, i don't have to see her much as i see the hospital specialist more ,free, i have had minor op's, scans, x-rays, blood tests etc all free under the public health system.

 

Cal x

[wolvesaussie]

We just went back to the UK for a holiday and guess what we did day one of the holiday, yeap thats right the Dentist ... day one just in case any work was needed and we had time to sort it out... I was ok, 18 pounds I think it cost for a clean and checkup, girlfriend had a filling, think it was 50.

 

My teeth are not the best, I wonder if it is the cost of braces put my parents off getting them (i grew up in Australia)... dont have the heart to ask in case it is and they feel guilty about it

[Paul1Perth]

We just went back to the UK for a holiday and guess what we did day one of the holiday, yeap thats right the Dentist ... day one just in case any work was needed and we had time to sort it out... I was ok, 18 pounds I think it cost for a clean and checkup, girlfriend had a filling, think it was 50.

 

My teeth are not the best, I wonder if it is the cost of braces put my parents off getting them (i grew up in Australia)... dont have the heart to ask in case it is and they feel guilty about it

 

Neither me or the wife had braces in the UK. Guess what the reason was.....cost. Same reason I didn't go for years and then went and had my wisdom teeth out when I was a student. I think the dentist who did it was a part time butcher too, I've never had feeling in the bottom of my jaw since and it took weeks for my jaw not to ache. My wife tried to make me go to the hospital as she was sure there was something wrong. Typical bloke though, just put up with it. I wouldn't have paid 18 quid for a clean and check up tbh.

[Belinda Au]

Neither me or the wife had braces in the UK. Guess what the reason was.....cost. Same reason I didn't go for years and then went and had my wisdom teeth out when I was a student. I think the dentist who did it was a part time butcher too, I've never had feeling in the bottom of my jaw since and it took weeks for my jaw not to ache. My wife tried to make me go to the hospital as she was sure there was something wrong. Typical bloke though, just put up with it. I wouldn't have paid 18 quid for a clean and check up tbh.

 

the price for dentistry here is extortionate in my opinion. my teeth are not in great shape at all, but none are exactly blackened and/or falling out. I had facial neuralgia for 7 years (fixed now thanks to a cranial surgery!) which prevented teeth cleaning on and off during that time. I did go recently to see what work needed to be done to get them back to health - I got a quote for just under $24,000!!!! I wish I was kidding. cost is a huge factor - well, in fact the only factor that keeps me away. Needless to say now that I can, always brushing and flossing. That will have to do for now I'm afraid!

 

I do see a GP who bulk bills which is great although I read there is discussion (and perhaps a secret agreement already) to introduce a $6 co-payment to see GPs.

 

Specialists cost - I've yet to have seen one who bulk bills but maybe there are some out there.................

Edited April 23, 2014 by Belinda Au

[Bibbs]

Not noticed to be honest. Been here 3 years and still not signed up to a doctor.

 

Had some work done on my teeth last year, done in 3 days, paid a few grand which my healthcare paid about 70%.

 

I couldn't even find an NHS dentist in the UK.

 

Didn't really use the NHS. In 20 years I got 1 Xray for a broken arm, and a doctors appointment for shingles, and one A&E visit where I waited so long, I'd googled the issue so went home and fixed it myself.

 

So, for me, NHS - meh. I'd have been better off keeping my tax, and paying it myself (which I practically did with private healthcare i never used either).

Edited April 23, 2014 by Bibbs

[Rupert]

Hi all

 

let me see if i get this right: in britain, we have the NHS. free healtcare, or very low costs for most things (e.g. dental).

 

in Australia, we pay for most of the medical costs (those refunds wont go far).

AND we have been told some doctors bulk bill and some dont? and this entirely depends on them but most dont bulk bill? whats the deal with that?

 

so if your kid needs braces, will this cost like thousands of dollars? also, if you want to have a wisdom tooth removed, this also costs a thousand dollars? i know dental care is also paid in the UK but when im told teeth cleaning costs 200 dollars in Oz, i cant help but cringe.

 

what are your experiences? we are a young couple so never had any medical issues and have lived in britain, but im thinking of the future, kids etc...

i find myself missing NHS...:arghh:

 

We are a generally healthy couple with little need for doctors in either country. I had to go a couple of times in Australia a year or so go and it was an absolute joy compared to what I am used to in UK. I think having to pay a small fee at the point of use makes a world of difference in a positive fashion.

 

No grumpy receptionist to battle with who thinks her job is to prevent anyone from using NHS services, living in London especially the trials of getting an appointment haunt me still. here you phoe up, get an appointment at your convenience, go along to be seen on time and then I walked 30 metres for blood tests, waited five minutes and had results in a week. That would have been a process of some weeks in UK.

 

So yes, my limited experiences in either country have been much better here. Yes I have to pay some small amount at the point of use but I am a working adult and there is no reason i cannot do that and I would rather do that than run the gauntlet of NHS. If NHS started to charge a small fee for GP appointments for working adults, the system would run a lot better.

[jasepom]

Supporters of the NHS always like to remind us that's it's free when in fact it's not its actually quite expensive when you add up all the tax which you pay whether you need treatment or not.

 

I also rather keep the tax here and make co-payments for treatment when i need it. Yes dentists are expensive but you can spread the payments over a few years when it comes to braces etc.

 

The hospitals in Oz are also really modern and they don't have extortionate parking.

[rosiew]

If a lifetime of NHS dental services have served people well, it is curious that so many new arrivals seem to be facing large dental bills shortly after arriving. Nothing is free - each country just determines how the load will be shared.

 

Australia has an imperfect model certainly - but it has evolved over time according to the economic and political conditions - just as the NHS has. Complaining that one system is a bit cheaper than the other is truly a first world problem that 90% of the world would love to have.

[Guest]

Bear in mind if you have kids in the UK needing braces you have to foot the bill too. And it isn't cheap.

[Guest Andy]

My own personal experience of the NHS over the last 6 months has been absolutely shocking, from a dirty hospital, to neglectful doctors, misdiagnosis from senior doctors, rude and lazy staff. In my opinion the nhs is rotten throughout and needs a complete overhaul or binning for another system. It is a shambles and I would not wish the treatment my mother had on my worst enemy.

[Belinda Au]

My own personal experience of the NHS over the last 6 months has been absolutely shocking, from a dirty hospital, to neglectful doctors, misdiagnosis from senior doctors, rude and lazy staff. In my opinion the nhs is rotten throughout and needs a complete overhaul or binning for another system. It is a shambles and I would not wish the treatment my mother had on my worst enemy.

 

God, Andy that sounds awful - I'm really sorry for your mother. I personally find dental costs in oz very high... but in fairness... I can always get an appt with a dr pretty much when I need it and have nothing but praise for how I was dealt with, having the cranial surgery - can't complain there.

[Guest Andy]

Hi all

 

let me see if i get this right: in britain, we have the NHS. free healtcare, or very low costs for most things (e.g. dental).

 

in Australia, we pay for most of the medical costs (those refunds wont go far).

AND we have been told some doctors bulk bill and some dont? and this entirely depends on them but most dont bulk bill? whats the deal with that?

 

so if your kid needs braces, will this cost like thousands of dollars? also, if you want to have a wisdom tooth removed, this also costs a thousand dollars? i know dental care is also paid in the UK but when im told teeth cleaning costs 200 dollars in Oz, i cant help but cringe.

 

what are your experiences? we are a young couple so never had any medical issues and have lived in britain, but im thinking of the future, kids etc...

i find myself missing NHS...:arghh:

Also how is it free, those of us that work pay national insurance and tax every week and also for our prescriptions as well as having your pants taken down every time you park your car, how is that free?

[Gbye grey sky]

We are a generally healthy couple with little need for doctors in either country. I had to go a couple of times in Australia a year or so go and it was an absolute joy compared to what I am used to in UK. I think having to pay a small fee at the point of use makes a world of difference in a positive fashion.

 

No grumpy receptionist to battle with who thinks her job is to prevent anyone from using NHS services, living in London especially the trials of getting an appointment haunt me still. here you phoe up, get an appointment at your convenience, go along to be seen on time and then I walked 30 metres for blood tests, waited five minutes and had results in a week. That would have been a process of some weeks in UK.

 

So yes, my limited experiences in either country have been much better here. Yes I have to pay some small amount at the point of use but I am a working adult and there is no reason i cannot do that and I would rather do that than run the gauntlet of NHS. If NHS started to charge a small fee for GP appointments for working adults, the system would run a lot better.

 

I am sorry to say that I couldn't agree more with this analysis. Don't get me wrong, there are some lovely people in the NHS but there are a significant number who really should not have gone into the caring profession I'm afraid and seem to treat patients as an inconvenience. The mentality changes when you are a paying "customer" for anything.

 

It does take weeks to get test results which privately take hours or a couple of days. The reality is that we have got used to it being a fairly poor service really.

[Katie22]

I trained & worked in the NHS so have a soft spot for it . Sure, saw a few horrible incidents but can assure you I've seen them here in Oz in both public and private healthcare.

 

My advice in Oz is to get private health insurance along with extras if you have issues with teeth & eyesight. That insurance has saved me lots of money also with having to pay for 3 emergency ambulance fees (definitely need insurance for ambulance cover or you face a $900 fee). The public health care here is on the whole great for emergency care etc but private healthcare is better for elective surgery - no waiting list & you can pick your surgeon - that can make a massive difference.

 

It can initially be a bit of a shock to the system paying for your own healthcare when you're so used to it free but if you're young and healthy your premiums shouldn't be too high. However even after that these doctors can still charge you massive gaps. Money making business I'm afraid.

[caramac]

Bear in mind if you have kids in the UK needing braces you have to foot the bill too. And it isn't cheap.

 

 

It depends on how bad the problem is. We paid £2.5k for one daughter and we've just been quoted £1,800 for the youngest. Her treatment is mostly for cosmetic reasons - there is no functional problem, so I completely understand why the NHS shouldn't pay for that.

The middle one was free because the problem she had meant she qualified for full NHS treatment. She had a small operation and a block type brace fitted which she had for a year. Once that came off we moved to Sydney and went to see an ortho we'd been recommended. The only treatment she needed by this time was the 'train track' brace which he said she 'd need for at least 3 years at a cost of $9k!! He fitted them and we went back regularly. He never changed his opinion that it would take that long.

We ended up back in the UK a year later and went back to her original ortho who said she thought the treatment was done, so took the metal off and gave her a retainer to wear at night for a year. Four years later and her teeth are perfect, so she was obviously right. That said, we'd have paid the full $9k if that's what it took to have the results our daughter has now. It's pointless moaning about it - it costs what it costs.

 

Our eldest has just been told that she needs to have her wisdom teeth removed and that will be done at the dental hospital, free.

[Skani]

Hi all

 

let me see if i get this right: in britain, we have the NHS. free healtcare, or very low costs for most things (e.g. dental).

 

 

 

It's not free...you pay through your taxes, no matter how little you actually use the service.

 

AND we have been told some doctors bulk bill and some dont? and this entirely depends on them but most dont bulk bill? whats the deal with that?

 

In this state 70% of doctor's visits are bulk billed: it probably averages out around this figure across the country.

Actually, bulk billing was intended for low income earners with concession entitlements - pensioners, unemployed etc.

 

Last tooth extraction I had was nowhere near $1000. From memory about $200.

[Freckleface]

I find it odd that anyone in this day and age would think anything provided by a Govt is 'free'. Where do you think Govts get their money from? The tooth fairy?

[Freckleface]

It's not free...you pay through your taxes, no matter how little you actually use the service.

 

 

 

In this state 70% of doctor's visits are bulk billed: it probably averages out around this figure across the country.

Actually, bulk billing was intended for low income earners with concession entitlements - pensioners, unemployed etc.

 

Last tooth extraction I had was nowhere near $1000. From memory about $200.

 

Something many fail to understand or choose to ignore.

[caramac]

I am sorry to say that I couldn't agree more with this analysis. Don't get me wrong, there are some lovely people in the NHS but there are a significant number who really should not have gone into the caring profession I'm afraid and seem to treat patients as an inconvenience. The mentality changes when you are a paying "customer" for anything.

 

It does take weeks to get test results which privately take hours or a couple of days. The reality is that we have got used to it being a fairly poor service really.

 

 

With the the current cuts it's going to get worse. Morale is very low - staff are being completely shafted, but have nowhere to go to complain. Don't believe the stuff about whistleblowers being safe. My oh has stuck his head above the parapet about some really radical cuts which will impact so negatively on patient care because we're safe in the knowledge that we have other options, but many don't and they're scared for their jobs. These people have mortgages to pay and families to feed. Two consultants have resigned already because they know that when the changes happen they will no longer be able to give a safe level of care.

There has also been a big increase in abuse of staff by patients, relatives and the general public. Not only physical stuff, but relatives demanding nurses bring them chairs, coffee and even feeding them because 'we've paid our taxes and are entitled to it'!

Most people want to give good quality care, but when they're short staffed (and have a poor skill mix),doing hours of unpaid overtime, are having their jobs and income constantly under threat and have zero support from managers who are under pressure to balance budgets, it's not surprising that the ability to care suffers. It's the biggest reason I won't go back - if I can't give the care I was trained to give, I'd rather not do it at all.

My oh says he has at least one member of staff in his office in tears every day because of the pressure they're under. These are people who have often been working for years with lots of expertise and experience.

My friend is a nurse lecturer and a few years ago she lost a third of her colleagues because the university was cutting the number of student nurses they were taking in. Fast forward six years and they've had to increase threefold the number they're training because people are leaving (she says they're staying for an average of 5years now). They haven't increased the number of lecturers to teach them though... As a country we can't afford to train people only to lose them so soon, nor to lose the experience those people take with them.

People who work in the system are trying to keep services going, but they can't do it on their own. The problem is that the public only see what's going on on the surface and it's easy to blame those working there for all the shortcomings which is sad because it's often those people who are fighting the hardest for those in their care.

[caramac]

I find it odd that anyone in this day and age would think anything provided by a Govt is 'free'. Where do you think Govts get their money from? The tooth fairy?

 

ok. Free at the point of delivery. I think many people don't understand that it's unlikely that the tax they pay will ever cover the full cost of what they get out unless they're lucky and never ill.

[MARYROSE02]

Missing the NHS, like missing Tesco and ASDA, and missing other things is perhaps a symptom of not settling in (yet.)

 

Yes, the dentist is expensive in Australia, but many people have to go to private dentists in the UK, and they are just as dear. Perhaps I should have looked harder for an NHS one?

 

There seem to be plenty of doctors and medical centres here in Sydney which bulk bill, some of them open seven days a week. The Govt may introduce a $6 charge, I see.

 

Public hospitals in Australia are not any diffferent (in the way they charge, or rather do not charge?) to the UK? Going to private hospitals is another matter, and again some people like to go private in the UK too (and pay for the privilege to avoid waiting lists.)

 

I really must look into some form of private medical insurance though.

[jasepom]

I can understand the attachment to the NHS its an admiral thing to have free health service at point of demand especially for those with no income. Whether it can survive or not in that form I don't know.

 

At least both countries have good emergency cover which is what I'm concerned about.

[Rupert]

ok. Free at the point of delivery. I think many people don't understand that it's unlikely that the tax they pay will ever cover the full cost of what they get out unless they're lucky and never ill.

 

Well I really think it is the other way around. That unless someone is seriously ill, they will never get out of the UK system what they have put in. Majority of people have no more than a few doctor appointments a year if that.