Introduction. Dr Christine Bennett, Chief Medical Officer, Bupa

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1 M AY B u pa H e a lt h watc h P o l l

2 Introduction The Bupa Healthwatch Poll (May ) looks at the Australian community s healthcare concerns and compares the findings against earlier Bupa Healthwatch findings. As evidenced by our latest Bupa Healthwatch Poll, health and healthcare are clearly important issues for Australians. The findings are particularly revealing and important at a time when these issues are high on our governments agendas and are being discussed daily in the media. Dr Christine Bennett, Chief Medical Officer, Bupa Findings QUESTION For each of these aspects of the current public healthcare system please say whether it is something that you are very concerned about, fairly concerned about, not very concerned about or not at all concerned about. CONCERNS ABOUT CURRENT PUBLIC HEALTHCARE SYSTEM : TOTAL, shortage of hospital beds and waiting times in emergency departments are the aspects of healthcare Australians are concerned about. Waiting times in emergency departments Direct costs you have to pay after you see the dentist Waiting times to see a specialist 69 Direct costs you have to pay after you see the GP Difficulty getting an appointment to see a GP Quality of aftercare following an operation Access to allied health professionals 40 Graph 1: Shows fairly to very concerned responses Base: All respondents n=1100 2

3 CONCERNS ABOUT CURRENT PUBLIC HEALTHCARE SYSTEM : CAPITAL CITIES VS REGIONAL/RURAL For many aspects of health service delivery there is little difference in the level of concern between Australians living in capital cities versus those living in regional and rural Australia. Waiting times in emergency departments Direct costs you have to pay after you see the dentist Waiting times to see a specialist Direct costs you have to pay after you see the GP Difficulty getting an appointment to see a GP Quality of aftercare following an operation Access to allied health professionals Capital City Regional/rural Graph 2: Shows fairly to very concerned responses Base: Respondents : in Capital Cities n=0, Regional/rural n=400 CONCERNS ABOUT CURRENT PUBLIC HEALTHCARE SYSTEM: VS When comparing the results of this year s Poll with Bupa s Healthwatch Survey, it appears that there has been a shift in concern away from lack of funding for healthcare by Government to aspects of healthcare delivery Graph 3: Shows fairly to very concerned responses Base: All respondents: n=1201, n=1100 3

4 Concerns about current public healthcare system: New South WALES VS Responses in this year s Poll suggest that NSW residents appear more concerned about the public Base: Respondents in NSW n=330 healthcare system than other Australians, and there is particular concern about funding of healthcare Q. For each of these aspects of the current health system please say whether it is something that you are very and shortage of hospital beds Concerns About Current Healthcare System: Victoria Graph 4: Shows fairly to very concerned responses Base: Respondents in NSW n= 364, n= 330 Concerns about current public healthcare system: VICTORIA VS Base: Respondents in Victoria n=2 In comparing the and results, Q. Victorian s For each of these aspects concerns of the current health about system please the say whether public it is something healthcare that you are very system appear to have reduced, other than in the area of care for the elderly, which is a consistent issue across the country Graph 5: Shows fairly to very concerned responses Base: Respondents in VIC n= 253, n= 2 4

5 Concerns about current public healthcare system: WESTERN AUSTRALIA VS In comparing the and results, there appears to have been a reduction in Western Australian s levels of concern for different aspects of the public healthcare system, particularly about waiting times and Base: Respondents in Western Australia n=130 Q. For each of these aspects of the current health system please say whether it is something that you are very the shortage of doctors. Concern for the concerned care about, of fairly the concerned elderly, about, not very however, concerned about scored or not at all concerned the about? highest (Top 2 Box) of all the States and Territories Concerns About Current Healthcare System: Queensland Graph 6: Shows fairly to very concerned responses Base: Respondents in WA n= 107, n= 130 Concerns about current public healthcare system: QUEENSLAND VS Base: Respondents in Queensland n=200 In comparing the and results, Q. there For each of appears these aspects of the to current have health been system please a say reduction whether it is something in Queenslanders that you are very levels of concern for all aspects asked, other than care for the elderly Graph 7: Shows fairly to very concerned responses Base: Respondents in QLD n= 221, n= 200 5

6 Concerns about current public healthcare system: SOUTH AUSTRALIA Base: Respondents in South Australia n=130 Q. For each of these aspects of the current health system please say whether it is something that you are very Compared to other States, South Australians appear to have slightly lower levels of concern about many areas of the public healthcare system, according to this year s Poll Graph 8: Shows fairly to very concerned responses Base: Respondents in SA n=130 data not available ABOUT Bupa Bupa is Australia s largest private health insurer, caring for more than three million Australians through its brands HBA, MBF and Mutual Community. Bupa and its sister companies in the worldwide Bupa Group have a long history of championing patients interests, particularly in the areas of wellbeing, chronic disease management and ageing. As a leading healthcare company, Bupa works closely with governments and key industry bodies to help shape Australia s healthcare system for a positive and sustainable future. Bupa Healthwatch Program The Bupa Healthwatch Program of surveys and polls is Bupa s way of keeping its finger on the pulse of the Australian community s understanding of, and attitudes towards, their health and the Australian healthcare system. For details of previous Bupa Healthwatch Surveys and Polls visit bupa.com.au Methodology Bupa Healthwatch Poll May The Bupa Healthwatch Poll was conducted by Galaxy Research on the weekend of February, using CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing). The sample was 1,100 respondents aged 16 years and older distributed through Australia. Following the completion of interviewing, the data was weighted by age, gender and State to reflect the latest ABS population estimates. Bupa Healthwatch Survey June The Bupa Healthwatch Survey was conducted online by TNS Healthcare between 5-12 May. The sample was 1,200 respondents aged 18 years and older distributed through Australia. Following the completion of interviewing, the data was weighted by age, gender and State to reflect the latest ABS population estimates. The findings in this report are informational only and are not intended to be, nor should be relied on as, any form of advice. For more information: Phone: Address: PO Box Melbourne City MC Vic 8001 Web: bupa.com.au Bupa Bupa Australia Pty Ltd ABN