aussiederek

Top Gold cover with who? There are many different kinds of cover with different funds, as well as different hospitals, specialists etc. Our experience in Perth has been brilliant in dealing with serious conditions, operations etc., with both my wife and myself. I believe it's different over east though, and by the comments on here Queensland seems to be particularly problematic! Yes, John Howard was very helpful in bringing in the 30% rebate for those who joined a health fund before the age of 30. By the way, that membership could be very basic and cost very little. Now that the wife and I are over pension age our rebate is 40%. We find it a great system. From what we know from our family and friends back in Northern Ireland, health care is the one thing that puts us off the idea of retiring back there!

Glad your daughter was seen so promptly and trust the tonsilitus will be better soon. But hey, this is not the health care that is at issue here. When one has a serious condition it's a different story! We have friends and a close relative in the UK (Northern Ireland, where the NHS is the pits) who have cancer and you wouldn't believe the long waiting, messing about, and general mishandling of a life threatening condition. One friend died a few years ago because of slow and inadequate treatment. The State provided NHS system just doesn't work when it's serious. May I also just comment, in Western Australia membership of a health funds is not "topping up", it provides facilities for seriously ill people like my wife, very quickly and efficiently. We have had experience of the public system here in the past where she had to wait a year for a woman's operation, and it wasn't a pleasant year I can tell you! When age increases and health issues raises it's ugly head, getting free medication is little comfort. I don't mind paying $5.20 (about 2 quid) for meds, which becomes free when you reach a safety net spend in the year, as we do about July every year. Contributing a little to our health care is not unreasonable, but to expect it to be all free doesn't work when it's for real. But everybody has their own story and opinion about this, so no point in continuing the discussion.

Sorry to hear about your friend's experience and I sincerely hope all works out well in the end. There are so many variations in health insurance, like anything else, so that must always be carefully considered before signing up. But, you can decide to use your insurance or go with the public system. Just because you pay into a fund doesn't mean you have to use it. My take on it is that most people are in a health fund so that you don't have to wait for ever for an operation. Also, here in Perth we are fortunate in having some of the best private hospitals one could imagine, where world class surgeons and medical people work. I know in the case of my wife we couldn't have done without our health fund and the facilities that opened to us.

First of all, the Australian health system is nothing like that in the US, a horrible system where you pay for everything! In Australia we have Medicare, the Government provided health care system similar (if not exactly the same) to the UK's NHS. However, paying into a health fund enables one to access the best possible facilities, which any Government funded system just couldn't do alone. It required large health care providers working in conjunction with Medicare to make this possible. The secret is Medicare and the health funds working together, which is not a two tier system by any means. If one doesn't want to contribute to their health care by paying into a health fund and rely entirely on the Government's Medicare, that is their choice. However, in this day and age where medical science has become so advanced, I don't think it is reasonable to expect the public purse to bare the cost of what is now possible in this field. Our taxes wouldn't even look at it! Medical science and the delivery of health care through modern hospitals and diagnostic facilities is what the health funds specialise in. To answer the question, "Why should you have to pay for health care, that's what you pay taxes for", all I can say is that I think we should take some responsibility for our own health care in this advanced modern age. I just don't think it's reasonable to expect the Government to provide it free, which is in fact proving to be impossible if you look at the NHS. (The NHS works great if you're not sick!) Sorry about the long winded reply to a simple question!!

It certainly is the norm with the NHS Trusts in Northern Ireland, I can assure you. I know too many people who have experienced this to think differently. The way the NHS operates around the UK seems to vary a lot. My feeling is that it is so bad in Northern Ireland because the local Assembly is strapped for cash ... just my opinion. However, I can't see how the excellent NHS concept introduced in 1948 can continue to provide an adequate free medical service in this day and age. Considering the complexity and advances in medical science and ability to do such marvelous things, it is surely unreasonable to expect the Government to provide this without some contribution from the population.

I think we'll have to agree to differ on this. The Aussie health system works very well for us. It could not be more different to the American health system that our son and Grandchildren have to live with.

Yes, the old camera down the throat without an anaesthetic seems to be the norm with the NHS. My brother and several friends have all had the camera down without anaesthetic in Northern Ireland ..... how barbaric! I think it's a matter of cost. I've had it three times and my wife once here in Perth and we both were given anaesthetic. Actually, it's a heavy sedation, but a lovely sensation as you drift off. (One could easily become addicted to that stuff, but shouldn't jest.) All so different from what I know from my family and friends back in the old country!

It is of course a personal matter of choice whether to have some form of health insurance or not. It's just not the norm to be without it here in Western Australia. We have family in America and know how that system works. The Australian system is nothing like theirs and never will be! In America you pay for everything and the mighty dollar rules. But to bring this discussion into perspective, from what I'm reading and know from others, attitudes to many things differ greatly between Australia's Eastern States and Western Australia. Health service is clearly one of them.

I understand what you're saying bristolman, there are indeed many people who are struggling financially. Nevertheless, there are many who could afford some cover and many low cost options are available. On the whole I don't think there is any need for most people in Australia to have some health insurance, thus avoiding long waiting times and having access to the best hospitals and specialists. Being pensioners, we are not well off, but we live a simple life and the last thing I will let go is our health insurance. I think that for many it is a matter of priority, and a lot don't seem to see health insurance as a priority. It is the number of people who don't see health insurance as a priority, believing that it is the Government's responsibility to look after their health, that leaves me bewildered!

We live in Perth where I'm told by friends over east that we are very fortunate in WA. Nevertheless, I think that what makes our system work so well is having private insurance, which dovetails nicely in with Medicare. We think it is very good value for money and the Government pay 40% of the premium for pensioners (30% for pre-pensioners). Quite frankly I find it hard to understand why so many people don't see the need for private insurance in Australia! They think nothing of insuring their house, contents, boat, caravan car etc., but don't insure the most important thing of all .... their health.

Zack, I can't believe it is Australia's health system you are talking about. Sounds more like the UK's NHS!! Like you, we also came here in 1986 and joined a health fund like every sensible person does. I have had a couple of operations and my wife several major operations, some in recent years, with very short waiting times. By short I mean literally a week or two. Quick access to top consultants and treatment in top hospitals the like of which the NHS could only dream about. Our out of pocket expenses have been minimal. On the other hand, I have a close relative in the UK who is in dire straits waiting for bowel cancer to be dealt with. The NHS can't even get the required expertise together to do an operation, despite numerous tests and procedures over many months. Also mixed messages regarding the whole thing. This is not an isolated case because we have friends experiencing the same thing with the sacred cow known as the NHS. We would love to retire back in the UK, Northern Ireland to be specific, but what we are seeing happening to our aging relatives and friends rules this out!

During the mining boom people were flocking to Australia, particularly WA, for more than a decade. That article does not substantiate your assertion that most Brits on a PR visa stay. Many have relocated interstate and a not insignificant number have gone back to their country of origin, which includes the UK. WA has always been a boom / bust State and at present we are going through a 'bust' transition. The 'boom' times will come back again. This ABC article provides a more up-to-date picture of what is happening re the population here. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-24/slowing-population-growth-presents-economic-challenge/6801862 Note that the net overseas migration to Western Australia has dropped 71% over the past 2 years and more people are leaving WA for other States for the first time in over 10 years.

Zack, your experience of Medicare on the Sunshine Coast is the exact opposite to what we have here in Perth. It's obviously different across the country. But I can't understand why some people are not in a private health fund? No problem insuring everything else they own! But when it comes to health, which is the most important of all, many just don't seem to see the priority. Our health insurance will be the last thing I'll let go! We both had our cataracts done within a couple of weeks. My wife has had a couple of very big operations over the past few years and that was all done very quickly, in world class facilities. The cost to us was negligible. Also, we can see a GP, usually our own, the same day and I book that online using HealthEngine. Most GPs bulk bill here as a matter of course, and always for pensioners. However, this may change by the sounds of the political chat going on at the moment! Hope not. Our opinion is that, in Perth anyway, we enjoy arguably the best health system in the world. But, I have to concede that friends who live over east reckon we are extremely well catered for in Perth compared to them. You're right about Lymes disease and I hope that is addressed and common sense prevails. As regards the NHS as it functions in Northern Ireland, it is badly broken. We have a close family member and a friend who are dealing with cancer and the amount of time waiting for that brown envelope to arrive is ridiculous. I could relate other instances, the health system there is third world .... but still a sacred cow and don't dare criticize it! But again, the NHS service does seem to vary a lot depending on where you live in the UK.

We've been in Perth for 30 years now. Fortunately been able to stay in our own accommodation in NI for couple of months almost every year since I retired 7 years ago, so know the score on many issues. May I say, it's different for everybody and is a very individual thing. That's what I want to get across to help others on this forum, as well as have a bit of a chat. Many members are struggling in their particular circumstances and subject to their individual personalities. It's very complex and people need encouragement in working it out for themselves. You are entitled to your opinion of course, but please don't tell me I'm seeing things through rose coloured glasses and that my experience, or that of others, would be the same as yours.

Can you substantiate your statement that most Brits who come here on a PR visa stay?

I don't think Australia needs daylight saving at all, simply because there are only about 2 hours difference in daylight between summer and winter. The three hours difference between Perth and Sydney is a great frustration carrying out business. If you haven't called your companies Sydney office from Perth by lunchtime, forget it till tomorrow!! Perth is only 31.9 degrees S compared to my native Belfast being 54.6 degrees N. That difference in degrees from the equator makes a world of difference to daylight hours and twilight. We don't enjoy twilight in Perth.

You are right there, some love Perth and some don't. I'm not a great fan myself, but the place 'works' in essential areas of life. Nevertheless, generally boring as!!! Friendships tend to be shallow and it has been our experience that friends come and go. Whereas our old friends back in Northern Ireland are still there and keep in touch and we enjoy their company when back on holidays. We've been here for 30 years and Perth has changed a lot, mostly for the better. However, I'm not sure it is that good a place to retire. Centrelink means tests everything and I think UK pensioners are much better off. Being in our mid 70s the thought of growing older here does not lie well with me. Retirement villages and care homes are like cold and formal cemetery waiting rooms .... but that's just me! Health care in my native Northern Ireland is disfunctional but somehow more homely.

I'm not a great fan of Perth or Australia generally. I agree starlight7, bland and boring does indeed come to mind! You have to work at creating an interesting life here and that can be hard work. Not everybody needs beach, surf, wineries, mind-numbing Aussie BBQs, footy etc., to provide a fulfilled life. On the other hand, we have arguably the best medical service in the world, which we have been very grateful for in recent years (we are in our mid 70s).

I think you're a bit of a mischief mate, looking for a bite LOL. All I will say is that we lived here for a few years during the 1960s and returned again in 1986 (goodness knows why), so we've seen the changes that have taken place over quite a long period. The development and modernisation, changing makeup of society by people from different countries, more global attitudes etc., have all been phenominable. If it's been a few years since you here then I think you would find it a different world now. Perth and WA is not the wild west anymore, but rather sophisticated and positive in outlook. It is a boom and bust state, but that's the nature of the beast and you have to learn to navigate your way through that. The old stick-in-the mud attitudes don't work here. For example, you don't look for a job, you seek out those who need the services you can provide. There's a world of difference and I had to learn that the hard way many years ago! OK so you got your bite, but that's all I have to say. Hope somebody finds these remarks helpful.

One of the things I miss most living in Perth are the long summer evenings and slow fading twilight hours, which I so loved in Northern Ireland. You just don't get that here. It's pitch dark within about 20 mins of the sun setting! There are only about 2 hours difference between summer and winter daylight anyway so daylight saving doesn't make any real difference. I was all for it in the vote to try it for 3 years, but found the reality more of a nuisance. As far as socialising is concerned, they go to bed that darn early here it is irrelevant. Up at 5am and to bed at 9pm. This is one of the things I don't like about living here, especially now that I am retired. Just love being 'home' on holidays during the summer, enjoying the twilight and longer hours of daylight. Yes, it is the opposite in the British Isles during winter, when daylight hours are much less. But the year is punctuated by different activities over the 12 months. Not really the case here, although many will disagree. I reckon you'll find that most of those who don't like the UK long summer daylight hours are Australian born, bred and buttered!!

Thanks for your comments John. it's like you are describing me! This is exactly what I did, chucked everything down the pan and went at it like a bull at a gate without considering my family. I've often pondered what was going on in my head to throw so much away and also without considering the consequences in later life. My work contemporaries are all well off, big industry pensions as well as full State pensions. I exchanged this to become an Aussie Battler.

Thanks for your comments. When Northern Ireland comes on the telly I immediately stop what I'm doing and am glued to it! However, very often the program is 'made' by Australians who have preconceived ideas, and off they go looking for it and find it for their program! That annoys the heck out of me, when it's not the Northern Ireland I know. You can usually find your preconceived ideas if you look hard enough, which these program makers somehow seem to manage. We go 'home' a lot for holidays, but can't keep doing this due to both cost and physical limitations as one grows older. Funny thing is, I tend to go through the same cycle of emotions each visit. There is that initial euphoria upon first arriving, the greenery and just being home. After a few days that wares off, and certain things like narrow mindedness etc., start to bug me and I feel 'I could never live here again'. But after a very short time that dissipates and I settle down and 'fit in' like putting on an old pair of gloves. I feel really content and happy thereafter and when it's time to leave and come back to Oz, I just don't want to go. Then when we arrive back in Perth it feels like I've been recaptured and returned to prison, after managing to escape. (Sounds crazy I know). However, after so many visits home this cycle of emotions is much less intense and I'm just glad to be 'home' in the place where I want to end my days. Sorry to Perth lovers if this sounds too critical. Believe it or not, there is much about Perth and Australia that I do appreciate and would miss and it does 'work' for us at a certain level, which would not be the case in NI particularly because of the health system. My wife would prefer that I settle down here, moving overseas is too much of a hassle for her because of health issues. That brings me to the NHS as it operates (or fails to operate) in Northern Ireland, as I've mentioned elsewhere on this forum. During our holidays we have found that it works fairly well at GP level. Beyond that it is badly broken!! We have a close family member and also a good friend who both have cancer and the amount of waiting and general fiddling about is completely unacceptable. The methods of treatment that have been described to us is quite barbaric in many instances, all to save money no doubt. The NHS is a sacred cow to many in the UK, and it was a great idea back in 1948, but is absolutely inadequate in this day and age. These comments will likely enrage some, but the truth is that it works fine if you are relatively well .... duh!! At the moment we seriously need the excellent medical services we have here in Perth, where our insurance and Medicare dovetail and work together. This is actually our biggest problem when considering retiring back to Northern Ireland. I wonder is anybody else in the same boat?

Some interesting comments there. Before I retired I loved traveling into the CBD by train and working in those plush high rise offices during the resources technology development years. I worked for many organisations as a technical writer and enjoyed working with many great people. The CBD is actually quite dynamic from early morning, but by about 4pm people begin to leave like rats leaving a sinking ship, heading back to the 'burbs that are mind-numbing to live in! Our youngest son didn't like the place at all and said it was so new you could still smell the paint drying! Perth is certainly not for everyone and our son now lives in America and loves it after 20 yeqrs. I think the main problem with Perth is it's isolation from the rest of the country and indeed the world (our world that is). However, it is on the doorstep of Asia where many people like to travel. But, it's a long way from all that is familiar to the British and Europeans. Some try to recreate the 'old country' but it doesn't work, simply because it is not Britain or Europe! I have learned to appreciate the place for what it is and no longer look for comparisons with where I came from. I've done the beaches to death, am not into surfing or footy and can't afford a boat or pool. The sun is too much as I get older. It's not that I don't like the place, but Perth must be one of the most boring places on the face of the earth and I find it hard work to overcome that. Also, relationships tend to be shallow and 'friends' often come and go from your life. (Might be my own fault of course, but I have heard many others say the same thing). It's always an individual thing of course, for me it's a good place to work (during the boom times) but not so good in retirement, even though medical facilities are second to none, which is important as one grows older. In one's twilight years, familiar places where one grew up and perhaps spent a good part of our lives, and old friends with whom one has history and relationships that go deep, all become the more important. Not everybody will see it my way and that's OK. We are all different and the things that drive us to go places and do things vary greatly.

Very interesting to read about others considering a move back to the UK in their senior years. My wife and I are in our mid 70s and although having lived in Perth for 30 years, Perth will never be home to me. My wife has settled better and considers this as home now, although I notice how much she enjoys being back in our native Northern Ireland during our frequent holidays! Looking at what is best for those twilight years, for me it is definitely Northern Ireland where I feel 'at home' and where I want to be. My other half is not so keen as she has some health issues and the NHS just doesn't work in NI. (Glad to read it is OK in other parts of the UK!) One of my main concerns is health care and the availability of private cover at our age (75). We have always had private health cover since coming to Perth and enjoyed the best that medical science can offer in the most up-to-date hospitals. We consider our total contribution to health care here to be very reasonable. Any information on private health cover in the UK at our age would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Good to know that the NHS does actually work in some parts of the UK. I have often thought it is a pity that the UK does not have a well developed private arm working along with the NHS, like we have here in Australia. That concept does not go down well with those I've spoken with back home! No doubt that's due to the fact that 'private health insurance' doesn't mean the same as it does in Australia. Here in Perth we have had private insurance for the past 30 years and enjoyed first class, no waiting treatment in top hospitals. The Government pays 30% of the premium if you join before 30 and now 40% for us as we are pensioners. It is the quality of treatment by top specialists in the most modern hospitals, with very short if any waiting periods, that works so well. To me the secret is that both public and private work hand in hand here, which takes the pressure of the public system. Sadly in Northern Ireland the NHS is a basket case!! This would be problematic for us and I don't know if there is any private insurance that might be a compromise solution?