Australian Healthcare Index
Sharing people’s perspective and experiences with healthcare in Australia
Increasing out of pocket costs to see GP; the GP, Nurse & healthcare worker shortage and Emergency Department wait times topped the list of concerns.
While fewer people are tying their decline in mental health to the pandemic, 1 in 4 Australians have sought mental health support in the past 6 months. This figure is higher for women, 18-34 year olds and people who live in regional/rural/remote areas.
56% of people are comfortable with increasing the scope of pharmacists to include prescribing for certain conditions. This suggests consumer suport for the increased role pharmacists could play and for trials underway in QLD and NSW and planned for VIC.
Bulk billing clinics continue to be in decline for a significant number of Australians as 33% said their clinic stopped fully bulk billing in the past year.
49% of people who went to the emergency department (ED) said later that they thought their care could have been provided by a GP or Urgent Care clinic instead.
Cost concerns and access to care challenges are impacting 18-34 year old Gen Z and Millennials the most. Compared to other age groups, they are more likely to skip the GP, dentist and prescription medicine due to out of pocket costs, face more mental health concerns and wait longer for care.
To see more learnings & insights, download the full report here