Transcript

Like most systems the medical system has its complexities and it can be very confusing for people.

Hi I’m Doctor Joe.

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For people not used to the Australian system, and to be honest even for those who are used to it, it really can be a bit of a maze to negotiate. Let’s try and keep things simple.

Your first port of call really for any medical problem or issue will be your general practitioner. Compared to England where people are registered with a GP, in Australia you can choose to see any GP you like and you’re not restricted to seeing one in particular. That said it is a very good idea to find a GP who you like and you’re comfortable with and stick with that GP or at the very least stick with that practice so that there can be some continuity within your care.

Now there are times people may need other services apart from their GP and one of the roles of the GP is to refer you on if need be. For example, if you’re pregnant you’ll probably need to see an obstetrician and you can be referred on. If you need surgery you’ll be referred to a surgeon. This is where it can get a little bit more confusing because there are two systems which is the private system and the public system. In a public system you may be referred to a clinic or a hospital and you will see whichever doctor is there. You don’t have a choice of doctor. That is actually enshrined in the Health Insurance Act.

If you get referred privately then you’ll be referred to a doctor of your choice, or you and your GP can decide who you may like to see, and you will be seeing that doctor. If in turn you then need to be admitted to hospital, that will be a discussion between yourself and your specialist, as to where you may be admitted to hospital and that is also affected by different specialists having what we call admitting rights to different hospitals. So not every hospital can be accessed by every specialist and vice versa, not every specialist has access to all hospitals.