25 June 2010 Australia’s health care system is one of the best
A new report ranks Australia’s healthcare system as world leading but highlights that access to the system can be a problem.
Among the seven nations studied in the Commonwealth Fund report, The Netherlands rank first, followed closely by the United Kingdom and Australia. Australia ranks first in ‘long, health, productive lives’ and second in ‘effective care’, ‘patient centred care’ and ‘efficiency’. Overall, Australia is ranked third, however we continue to rank poorly with regards to access.
We have an excellent general practice centred healthcare system in Australia. However, we have to remember that some of our communities, such as some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, do not receive the healthcare that they should receive in a wealthy first world nation.
Access to general practice care is now an issue in most areas of Australia. Since 2002, GP supply has fallen by 2%, while other specialist supply has increased by 17%. This means increased health costs and worsening health outcomes for patients because they cannot see a GP when they need to see one.
If the Federal Government continues to invest directly in general practice it will improve our ranking in the next Commonwealth Fund report. The full report is available at www.racgp.org.au/ff/31.
M5 Project - RACGP men's health initiative helping men to help themselves
M5 encourages men and those who care about them to recognise the importance of men forming an ongoing relationship with a GP.
