Little trueblue Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 Hello all, i have recently joined this site so am still finding my way around. Hopefully, this is in the right spot. We are hoping to move back to the uk mainly due to being closer to family and hopefully, a better (cheaper) health system. We're getting a little fed up of the cost of medical expensive with chronic health issues along with the general cost of raising kids in Australia. We have spent about $50k over the last 4-5 years with various health issues. And I am finding it a little annoying paying to see the doctor $25 out of pocket, plus up to $20 for antibiotics for each child for recurring problems. A winter in Australia now sees me spending a few hundred dollars for 3 kids! Cheaper to keeps the kids at home then send them to childcare. I would love to hear from anyone else who has views on the health system in aus vs uk. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wakeboard1980 Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 you will save with the prescriptions as you will get them free for under 16. Why do you not go to a bulk billing Doctor? What is the medicare safety net these days? you must be just under it if you don't qualify for free meds after spending that much each year. I think its swings and roundabouts really, some things are cheaper, some things take longer. you may find that you will be spending money here in the UK if you wish to be attended to quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlight7 Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 It used to be heaps better here. Not now- its gone to the pack I'm afraid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasepom Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 Regardless of the cost, the hospitals are far superior in Australia because they are newer and better equipped than uk hospitals. Also people love the NHS cause the 'believe' it to be free. It is not free it is only free on demand. You pay through NHS contributions which are substantial. I may as well use that money and pay for minimum hospital cover in Melbourne and be treated at a very well equipped hospital. Also speaking from experience I've been treated in both systems and OMG there is a difference. I'm Melbourne they couldn't do enough for me whereas i was left waiting for 5 hours without so much as a cup of tea. Come on people don't seriously think uk health system is better !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xlornax Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 Yes uk is much better imo..I have worked in uk and au health care and been treated in both too..I vote uk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasepom Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 With respect xlomax you are in qld so perhaps your experience is different. In Melbourne we have some of the best hospitals in australia and great medical research facilities. We actually lead the world in healthcare here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xlornax Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 I experienced nsw too..qld is loads better than there...and I was offered a job in Melbourne. .after visiting the hospital n speaking to the staff I turned it dwn...I didnt realize the discussion was just abt Melbourne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortlepuss Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 I think the Australian healthcare system is excellent for the rich, and to some extent the poor. If you're somewhere in between you'll end up getting slugged for out of pocket expenses - we're fortunate that we can afford to pay (just) - upcoming operation for my son - out of pocket - just shy of $5K, out of pocket for a previous minor op for me - $3K. Neither available via public system here, but available (with a wait of course!) in the NHS. I wouldn't resent having medical cover so much if the out of pocket costs weren't so huge. The visits to the Drs do add up, in most areas bulk billing Drs are not available (I do find if you spin them a yarn about how skint you are they charge less). Last year, out of work but not entitled to benefits I didn't go to the Dr as I considered it a luxury and couldn't really justify the expense. Personally as someone who has been working for 25+ years I'm happy to pay my taxes so that all can enjoy health cover. In Oz I get to pay my taxes and then pay again! Oz like the USA of course has excellent medical facilities - can't fault them, but as I get older I increasingly can't afford them. It's a scandal that in a rich country like Australia, dental treatment is not available for the poor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasepom Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 As I say my experience is only in Melbourne but I'm biased cause I love it here. But when I've visited the hospitals the staff have been great so yeah no complaints. I have been to a hospital in Harrogate and it seemed more like an asylum than a hospital just have me the creeps. It was frighteningly bad. Aussie hospitals IMHO ae well staffed by professionals. I've been to a few here and haven't had a bad experience as a customer. Treatment has been quick and I've gone home impressed. The only thing you have to worry about is the cost but as I said in a precious post if you do the math there really is no difference. You pay one way of nother either directly or indirectly. Emergency cover is cheaper I think in Australia cause you can pay minimum Medicare levy. Other medical care is more expensive here but then again depends on how often you need it. You can pay a hell of a lot more in NHS contributions in UK and never need it. Then when you need something major like knee surgery you're on the waiting list like a friend of mine and have to wait 6 months. With hospital cover here you can have it within a month. Compared to uk you get the treatment when you want it at the hospital of your choice. Yes it's more expensive but really can you be out of work for 6 months. If rather be back at work being productive. My friend lost 6 months wages cause he couldn't go private in uk, there a system that is failing INMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pob Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 If you like the idea of having to pay health insurance then the Australian/American is the best for you. You can afford the best treatment, you will get it. Now the idea of someone being too sick to work and not having the funds to pay for this, leaves them in a very poor situation. I was shocked at hearing how people have to pay for ambulances here in Australia. Shocked at how you have to pay to see a doctor. In my opinion healthcare should be free for all. It should be a service provided by the government, not a business! Try getting cover for a pre-existing condition and have all the expenses paid for that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasepom Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 I know ambulance cover is annoying but honestly it's like $80, you'd be an idiot not to pay that. Australian Medicare is different to both UK and America with the American system being very poor in comparison to the other two. American a disgrace IMHO and is fuelled my the greed of the insursnce companies. its one reason why i would never live there. you get seriously ill and you end up losing your house to pay for medical bills (Watch Michael Moores Sicko). i think the Australian system strikes a balance. Emergency cover is available to everyone (unlike US) and if you need the best treatment for you can pay for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calNgary Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 Ive used the public system both here and in the UK and both are as good as each other IMO. We are in QLD so no extra Ambulance costs, only I pay to see a GP and half the time ,if its for something quick or basic ,she Bulk Bills me. My hubby and kids all use a Bulk Bill practice and even though they dont always see the same Dr ,they do get appointments quick. The only difference i have really found between the 2 countries is paying for under 16s medication, although we have been quite lucky and not had to do this alot ,i guess it could add up if your child picks up bugs and colds quite easily. Inoculations etc are all free like the UK so people have no outlay there. Cal x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BrisbaneBevan Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 I pay $180 a month for BUPA health cover, and god knows what you actually get for that... since they rejected my claim for an eye test and for a remedial chiropractor. Not eligible for Medicare because we hadn't spent the last 12 months of 40 years in the bleeding UK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quoll Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 UK for me - far superior but I am fortunate to live within the area for a world class hospital - Addenbrookes (and Papworth). They have been amazing for my elderly parents and every day health matters have been dealt with quickly, efficiently and cheaply. Contrast that with my son in Aus - now one month+ since a total tear of his pectoralis major tendon, wait 2 days for GP, 1 week for specialist, 2.5 weeks for scan (thanks to a cancellation, was going to be 3.5 weeks), 3 weeks second specialist and 44 weeks (if he's lucky) for repair surgery. Cost thus far $250 and he's only seen the one specialist (twice). Good one Australia! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramot Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 I'm not comparing, but just want to say what has happened to my daughter over the last 2 days. she lives in Sydney, and is epileptic. Tuesday she had a bad fit, fell at home, pssible broken nose, cracked ribs, and possible damage to her spine. On top of this she had just taken hot food out of the microwave, and has a severe burn, now an enormous blister, has to be seen to be believed. Obviously it had been treated before she came home, ambulance came very quickly, para medics excellent. Hospital treatment excellent, scans on her spine, EEG, kept in over night, and luckily her spine seems ok. What a relief. wed. Home. Today saw her epilepsy specialist, he is very worried about obviously every thing, but especially her burn. So she has an appointment tomorrow morning at 7.30 to see a plastic surgeon at E&R. I can't fault her treatment. Her epilepsy specialist cost $200 medicare rebate $120. So $80 cost to us, but for her to be seen so quickly is worth every $. obviously we don't know how much else we will be charged and we are lucky we can afford it, but the speed of her treatment is fantastic, and the care shown by every one. just so relieved that things aren't as bad as first thought. I'm not saying her treatment wouldn't have been as good in the UK, PS we live in QLD and have no complaints there either. Sorry just wanted to add that we are very grateful for her care at a worrying time I meant A&E tomorrow, think my stress level was a bit high when I typed E&R!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newjez Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 UK for me, but it is a lottery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kungfustu Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 we have had good experiences in both systems.....In Oz my wife and kids were treated an operated on in the medicare system, the wife for a potentially serious condition....she was seen to very quickly and operated on....thankfully all is now good, my youngest boy had a number of ops....clean hospitals, quality surgeons and a quick response....found the cost of dentists and opticians very pricey in Oz and paid out a load of money for general care and precriptions so that side of it is definately inferior to the UK. In the UK we have had great service as well.....In a brand new state of the art John Radcliff hospital in Oxford so we do also have new hospitals over here....I suppose the only difference is the cost on precriptions, dental and opticians for the kids....free here....not over there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyman Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 Oz for me ......... I see my GP every two weeks , I know I will get in tomorrow whatever time I phone as I`m a good customer :wink:....always bulk billed , all scans and MRI`S bulk billed too , you need to be cheeky , smile and let them know you , let them know they are needed and doing a good job .......don't go in there dressed to impress , dress down , no smellies ......if they think you have money they will take it ............if you don't ask you don't get.....and always use good manners .. I have Health cover too and has saved me heaps , wouldn't be without it .......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 Swings and roundabouts. I prefer my GP here and I can normally get in on the day. But, I don't like the prescription system where you can pay some serious money for drugs. I have had hospital treatment in both. I liked the fact I didn't have to pay for the tv here. But was perturbed that I didn't see a doctor much. No daily ward round. Only nurses. Waiting times are an issue in both. I recently had to have some urgent investigations for possible bowel cancer. The wait time was going to be nearly a year. That could have proved too long to then be treated so went private and was seen in 3 days. Costs are a major issue here. In WA an ambulance is about $700 and there are reports of people dying because they were frightened of the cost of calling an ambulance. I also had to have an ultrasound recently and there is no cover under health insurance and it had to be paid up front - over $200 and less than half was claimable by Medicare. Not a huge sum for me, but could be for some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Que Sera Sera Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 Regular free mammograms here I'm too young to qualify for any in the UK, free cervical smears every two years. You can see a Doctor with a few hours and emergency treatment is free. Eyesight tests are free. My daughter has received completely free and exceptionally good maternity care, scans etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MovingtoTasmania Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 I think there are benefits to both systems. The upside of the UK system is that having paid your NI contributions, it's free. However, my daughter needs an operation on her eye and when we went in December, the waiting list was a year. Now, it's 18 months. The Consultant has put us down for a cancellation now as she knows we are leaving, but she was telling me on Tuesday that 4 patients didn't turn up the previous day for their ops. This creates a lot more backlog, especially since surgery is only scheduled every Monday and Friday afternoon and they can do 5 patients per session. Perhaps if these people had to pay then they would either cancel in advance or turn up. When Mr MtT had meningitis, the NHS was brilliant. Straight to A&E, no messing around, MRI scan, lumbar puncture, the whole works. Excellent treatment in intensive care. However, when he was moved to a private room on the ward, he couldn't even get the nurse or HCA to top up his water jug for him. It was almost a case of out of sight, out of mind. My son was ill last week (from Monday night) and phoned the GP for an appointment. He went this morning because that's how long the GP waiting list is unless it's a dire emergency or you are under 16. That's not so good. Prescriptions aren't free either unless you're under 18 or a full time student, but you can buy a pre-payment certificate for about £30 every 3 months, which if you need a lot of medication, is worthwhile. Also, the prescribing has changed. Most medicines are only prescribed for 28 days now so you have to pay every month for your medication whereas before you could get 2 months so it was a bit cheaper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolvesaussie Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 Thats my thoughts at the moment Tasmania.. I am lucky I dont have any problems, but I like having to pay to see the doctor, as i rarely do it and I want to be seen right away, I dont want to wait until a week on tuesday because all these old ladies have booked in for a chat. Also ambulances, maybe if you had to pay in the UK you wouldnt get all those drunken girls getting plastered and calling one because they cant walk straight enough to call a taxi. There are a load of no shows in hospitals, I was on a wait list for a minor procedure in the UK, when I told them I was going overseas they found a cancellation for me the following week which was great, but it makes you wonder how many dont turn up, and would they not turn up if they had to pay a little toward the cost of it. Having to pay for the dentist is the one thing annoying me at the moment, but I booked myself in for a checkup when I am back in the UK next week Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MovingtoTasmania Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 Touch Wood Wolves, we don't often get ill and the most I see the GP is when they tell the chemist that I can't have any more repeats till I go in for my blood tests, which is once every year. Hubby rarely sees the GP and I think each daughter has seen the GP once each in the past year. The kids don't get ill very often and when they are, it's usually something like a stomach bug, which doesn't warrant any treatment except for commonsense. I will pay happily for a minimal health insurance policy with ambo cover but I am not paying for an all singing all dancing policy until the kids get a bit older (think orthodontics) and we get older (think broken hips and heart disease). I think for now, we can just muddle along with a couple of paracetamol when required! I already realise that I'll have to pay out for my prescriptions which are free as I have a thyroid problem so free for life in UK. Oh well...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rupert Posted March 22, 2014 Share Posted March 22, 2014 I have little experience if either system fortunately. But I did need to see the doctor last year and steeled myself for the process I am accustomed to from the UK. What a difference... appointment easy to get, blood tests easy to get, it was an absolute pleasure compared to doing battle with an NHS doctor receptionist. I think having to pay a small sum at the point of use makes a massive difference to service levels. The UK would do well to introduce it for working adults, would stop the no shows and people going to A&E with a cold or sore finger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellyv Posted March 22, 2014 Share Posted March 22, 2014 Well said Rupert. The NHS is totally abused especially with the number of missed appointments or DNAs as we called them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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