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Post by Mike Harding on Jun 18, 2023 15:59:32 GMT 10
What the hell has happened to Medicare outside the major cities!?
I'm currently in rural Victoria on the border with NSW but I strongly suspect this situation is similar across the country.
I'm house sitting for a friend, for two months, about 20km from Echuca. I have developed a significant leg infection which requires immediate and probably ongoing treatment for a few weeks from, at least, a GP. I Google GP clinics and begin to phone them... no way will anyone see me. I called clinics out to a 100km radius and not one will give me an appointment even when I mention it's a semi emergency - ie. if not treated soon it will turn into a full emergency.
I ended up presenting at casualty at Echuca hospital and said "I'm sorry to do this but no GP will treat me.", they replied "Yes, we know."
What the hell are our governments doing with Medicare in the country!? Why have I paid a levy and taxes for years in order not to be able to access treatment when I need it?
I understand Australia's size/population issue and realise we cannot have a GP on every street corner but if I cannot get an appointment in Victoria within 100km at *any* future time then something is seriously wrong and I want the damn government to fix it - otherwise what bloody use are they!?
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Post by arewelost on Jun 18, 2023 19:09:23 GMT 10
Have you considered a specialist organisation that does telephone consultations?
For prescriptions, if you know what you want enter the details online and the system will ask questions to validate that your choice is suitable. If your choice is not something that is likely to be abused it will probably be approved on the spot. They then email or SMS the script to you and you can get it filled in any pharmacy. $19 cost.
If you need something outside their automated system, they have telehealth options. That is $49 (and I think it covers the prescription fee). I suspect they want you to be diverted to this service. A doctor then calls you, supposedly within an hour.
The good: When I used the service it was less than an hour. Aussie accent. The diagnosis (gout vs infection) was correct - not gout. Anti inflammatory prescribed and it worked.
The bad: The consultation was VERY brief, perhaps 2 minutes and he was talking fast.
So, while I would not recommend a service like this if another option was available, I would use them again in case of need.
Incidentally, separate to that, a couple of months ago I ripped up my toenail while visiting a farm at Gunnedah on the way further north. I knew infection was likely so wanted to get antibiotic treatment. No chance of a doctor in the short term, so along the way went to Moree Hospital. Exactly the same thoughts as you ,... why am I wasting their time with such a little thing? But they get it all the time and have accepted it. The doctor blamed the Medicare system with too much bulk billing. People go to the doctor with the smallest ailments because it costs nothing. As a result, the doctor is fully booked.
Anyway, let's hope you quickly get on top of your leg issue. Maybe this will help if you need further medical help or in the future.
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Post by Mike Harding on Jun 19, 2023 8:57:58 GMT 10
Thank you very much AWL for that information.
I had no idea such services existed. Fortunately the cost is not a significant issue, I just want treatment within a reasonable time frame. I even considered phoning a GP and offering to visit as a private patient... I suspect I would have obtained an appointment within 24 hours.
At least I have the advantage of being able to move my home (caravan) to a location where I could receive treatment but the poor devils who live here are stuck with the problem. Talking with a receptionist at one clinic and said they had lost four doctors over the past five months and had only one remaining.
Government needs to sort this out *NOW* otherwise what bloody use are they? I need governments to "do things" not to tell me why they can't be done.
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santa
Full Member
Posts: 136
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Post by santa on Jun 19, 2023 10:56:14 GMT 10
Hows the leg going Mike, were the people at Echuca able to put you on the right track?
Heather and I both have ongoing health problems, we have no issues seeing our GP when and as needed, prescriptions only need a phone call and he sends them directly to our local pharmacy.
Perhaps we are just fortunate.
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Post by magnarc on Jun 19, 2023 13:18:23 GMT 10
The situation in country Victoria regarding doctors is a bloody disgrace. No wonder that the hospitals are overworked. Surely one of those doctors could have found time to treat you Mike. As much as I love the bush there are times like this when I am glad that I live here. We are lucky, our clinic has seven doctors, a physio, a chiropractor and a chemist all in the same premises.
Hope you get that leg fixed asap Mike, septicemia is something you definately don't want to get, been there done that, three weeks in hospital and off work for a month. Lucky to still have the leg.
Good luck mate.
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pete
Junior Member
Posts: 93
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Post by pete on Jun 23, 2023 12:12:35 GMT 10
Hi Mike, Hope that leg infections is doing better.
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Post by toeknee on Aug 17, 2023 14:22:28 GMT 10
Firstly and most importantly, I hope that your leg is OK, Mike
I have noticed for a few years now, a lack of Medical facilities in small towns, in all states of Australia (never been to Tasmania)
Even some of the larger rural towns, you can not see a doctor, as Mike has already said, they are not taking new patients, and you have to go to the hospital
Shepparton VIC, wife could not get a Doctors appointment
Tamworth NSW, same as above
Port Hedland WA, same as above
For some years now (in WA), us oldies have been advised to make sure, that we do not forget to take our medicine with us, when we go north for the sun
Apparently this is one of the main reasons, the oldies go to the hospital
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