Public Hospitals
Need to know more about Australian public hospitals and the level of health care provided. At Public Hospitals Australia, you can gain information about the public health system for each state. Browse our listings to find Australian Health Insurance providers that will give you the best hospital cover.
All Australian citizens and permanent residents of Australia are entitled to free public hospital cover. Public hospitals in Australia receive funding from the Commonwealth and State Governments and are run by the independent state's health Departments. Australians are covered for public hospital cover due to medicare that is Australia's health care system, which was set up in 1984 and is regarded as one of the best health systems in the world today.
To be admitted into a public hospital in Australia the individual must first see their local GP who will then refer them to a specialist. The specialist then will give you a letter that must be passed onto the hospital to set up an appointment. Depending on how urgent the need for treatment is you may be placed on a waiting list. For elective surgery in a public hospital today the waiting list could take quite some time before you are booked in for surgery. You can also be admitted into hospital through the accident and emergency departments of public hospitals. Most public hospitals have these departments to cater for people who need urgent medical attention.
If you are admitted into a public hospital today then all patients have a right to know about all treatments which will be performed and the individual must give their permission for any treatment to take place. The doctors must make sure the individual knows about the treatment, the risks associated with the treatment and any side effects which may occur with the treatment prescribed. If a patient doesn't understand English in most cases it's possible for the hospital to get an interpreter in to explain the treatment recommended.
Individuals who are admitted into a public hospital must tell staff of any ongoing treatment they may be having for other conditions or illnesses. They must also notify staff of any medication they may be on whether that be prescribed or whether they have taken any recreational drugs which may affect treatment. If individuals cannot make an appointment on a day which is scheduled it's important to notify the hospital immediately so they can book another patient into that time slot and reduce the waiting list.
The Australian Government and State Governments are setting aside more and more money in the budget each year to go towards Australia's health care system. This is due in large part to Australia's ageing population and the need for more hospital beds to be made available. Another reason is to try to reduce Australia's waiting lists for elective surgery that in some states is at all time highs.
In summary as mentioned Australia has one of the best health care systems in the world today in large part due to medicare. Australia's public hospitals have the latest technology and some of the best doctors in the world so if your admitted into a public hospital for an illness then you know your going to get looked after by qualified, professional doctors and nurses.