Public Hospitals in Queensland (QLD)

Queensland Health Services is a company that has the responsibility to provide healthcare for all Queenslander's. This includes managing hospital inpatient and outpatients, emergency services, community and mental health services, aged care services and running health campaigns.

Brisbane public hospitals are completely free to all Australian citizens. You will be completely covered for your accommodation whilst in hospital and you will also not have to pay for food or for the services of a doctor or specialist. The only thing you will be required to pay for are the hire of a television if you wish to have one.

When you are admitted to a Queensland public hospital they you are required to give staff as much information on your illness so that they can prescribe the appropriate treatment for you as a patient. You must also tell staff about any other medication you might be taking at that time along with any other drugs that may be in your system such as recreational drugs. As a patient you must also be prepared to go to another Queensland public hospital if the hospital your in at the time cannot provide the appropriate treatment. You must also be on time for any appointments made for you by the hospital and notify the hospital if you cannot make an appointment as this can free up a spot for another public patient. If you are having any side effects because of the treatment that you are taking then it is up to you to notify the hospital staff of this. If you are in a Queensland public hospital then you must respect the privacy of others especially in the case of sharing a room. Another point that is noted is that racism of any kind will not be tolerated in a Queensland public hospital.

As a patient in a Queensland public hospital you have certain rights such as information as to whether you want to be a public or private patient. If you don't speak fluent English then the hospital has a right to provide you with an interpreter so you can understand and take part in decision regarding your health. A Queensland public hospital must also inform you of any risks associated with your treatment and let you know about your treatment in a way in which it is easy to understand. The hospital must also have your permission before you receive any treatment unless in the case of an emergency where you cannot give them permission. Public hospitals Queensland or it's staff cannot discriminate against you based on your sex, sexual orientation, colour or religion.

To be admitted to a Queensland public hospital then you will more than likely have to be referred by a specialist for treatment and you will also be provided with a letter which you must product before being admitted. If you need urgent treatment then you will more than likely be admitted through the accident and emergency Department. When you are referred to a hospital by a specialist then you will more than likely be put on a waiting list depending on how urgently you need treatment.

At the moment in Queensland public hospitals there are more than likely to be lengthy delays for elective surgery which is the case with public hospitals around Australia. If you have private health insurance then it's far quicker to go through your health insurance company and be admitted to a private hospital to have elective surgery. The Australian government has launched a campaign aimed at getting more people to sign up for private health insurance that will take the pressure off public hospitals throughout Australia.