Thats what we are coming to in this country.......you can be well....or you can die. Few of us can afford the "transitional" illness.

Yes it seems that Queensland has quicker Dental care--my friend there got dentures quite quick--not they were any good as she was unable to wear them--and had to go to a private Dentist--she also got free glasses without an assets test--we in NSW have a free eye test but have to pay for the frames

I understand that QLD also has a very poor record for treating cancer patients. They local gossip is that "if you contract cancer in Qld...... move to another state". The waiting list means that many die before receiving treatment.....or at best, receive treatment way too late.

I understand that QLD also has a very poor record for treating cancer patients. They local gossip is that "if you contract cancer in Qld...... move to another state". The waiting list means that many die before receiving treatment.....or at best, receive treatment way too late.



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Gee it wouldn't want to be any worse than NSW--dreadful situation here with hospitals--I really feel for those that need treatment--it is discusting that they can spend so much on other stuff and not the health sysytem

Also Drs fees are going UP again in October---$85 for a visit--and I think $65 for a pensioner

Fortunately, my doctor bulk bills.......must be one of the few left who do....

Yes I am lucky mine does as well maybe because I have been seeing him for over 22 years

Just another reason why we should get rid of the state governments - they hold us back.



So much easier to have only one accountable government with local authorities instead of three lots of pollies to pay for.



One law - one rule - one way of doing everything from passing exams to licensing your car to whatever - and no passing the buck :)

I couldn't agree more Val--they are very good at passing the buck.

In Sydney's East some doctors bulk bill for pensioners. But there are medical centres which bulk bill for regular medical care. Not sure what happens if you need a home visit. Basic Pathology and X-rays are on the premises which means you don't have to go to another service unless there are complications.



There are dental and physio services on the premises too, but I haven't investigated the charges.



At Bondi Junction Medical Centre we have found the doctors to be caring and competent. You can choose the doctor you want to see or you can opt to see the first available doctor. During peak illness times, eg winter, there could be a long wait.



There is a chemist on the premises. There are also three chemists within 5 minutes walk, who are reasonably priced. At least one of these offers Seniors a discount. He also offers generic substitutes which can be cheaper. Another chemist claims to be the cheapest. I haven't investigated the real differences in price.



Specialists in Sydney's East charge in full and you have to claim from Medicare and find the money for the gap. I haven't heard of any who have special rates for seniors or pensioners.

Looks like I have to move to SYDNEY. We've just got another place that does X-rays, and they advertised that they will bulk bill - guess what the other lot did - those to whom we paid mega dollars , like $60 for a chest X-ray? Yep, they took out a full page ad - also now offering "bulk billing". Guess it takes just that little bit of competition.. Must admit that we do have an out of hours Doctor surgery , but you had better be prepared to wait for up to three hours. Not much different to my local Doctor really, who insists that you make an appointment, but who by 10.15 am, may be running one and one quarter hour late! They now only work a four and a half day week. Guess they earn enough by then to take some time off. So far, I haven't had to pay for Pathology - maybe because there are about five clinics available.

My doctor bulk bills also but his fee is just about the same as paid by the government with the extra bit put on by John Howard if it is still there that is!

Specialists all bulk bill so far as I know by experience - or wouldn't go - but the in Tasmania 37% are on welfare or age pensions by right of passage as they paid in for them in spite of the myth that it is a safety net.

Specialists here do not bulk bill and it costs about $200 for the 1st visit--sometimes more and about $100 for other visits