SA Shambolic Health System

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4 yrs ago

I have several bad teeth. When the side of my jaw started to swell and spread to my throat from one tooth that had been aching for 4 days, it was time to act.

At the SA Dental Service I paid my $61 upfront before an x-ray was taken of the decayed infected tooth. I was told they “could try to remove it but if it smashed I would have to travel to Adelaide Dental Hospital sometime in the future to have the stump removed”. I declined the painful sounding offer.

When I asked about removing the rest of my teeth I was told I would be put on a different waiting list of over 12 months (tooth ache infection and all) to have it done in Adelaide Dental hospital. No mention of antibiotics.

I am awaiting a hip replacement but have just learnt my waiting list is ONLY for an appointment. Then I’m added to another list to have the procedure done in about another 2 YEARS!

I’m told of an old dear who waited 5 bloody years for a hip replacement then died 9 months later, in her early 90’s, spending her last years in agony

How does one short-cut this diabolical system?

10 comments

Suze

4 yrs ago

Hate to say it but you have to be privately insured ???

Charlie

4 yrs ago

YES I guess you are right however I wonder where private insurance will be as apparently scores of younger members are opting out as finances get even tighter

Pull the lot out and replace with steel. Easy to clean too with Ez Off, cheaper than toothpaste.

Go to the top of the queue by paying for it yourself.

Charlie

4 yrs ago

What a DUMB statement Very Caring Etc. Obviously you didnt read all my post

Sceptic

4 yrs ago

Please explain what Very Caring would elicit from reading your post, that would answer his/her question?

Farside

4 yrs ago

which part of the post did VCBB miss?

For what it's worth, some folks are taking trips to Thailand and India for dental and other treatment at a more affordable price, with a holiday thrown in gratis.

Eddy

4 yrs ago

Tanwn, health and wealth are more than rhyming words, one is dependant on the other. Sorry but that is the reality, modern Australia, lioke other western democracies, has been transformed into a country where if you cannot afford it then you do not deserve it. Any concepts of fairness and looking after those who cannot look after themselves have been vacated by the political elite. Unfortunately many people, including some who contribute to this forum, have been seduced into believing these political misconceptions, so we get the politicians, and governments, we deserve. No comfort to you Tanwin but it will not change while both sides of politics pursue their elitist policies.

Farside

4 yrs ago

I don't think either of the major parties is so wedded to elitism they do not want to appeal to the popular vote so they can win government. If you think they are pursuing elitist policies, it is only because that is what the voters of Australia want.

OJ21

4 yrs ago

Reminds me of when a friend went to the dentist years ago and was told he didn't deserve pain killers because he was on the dole.

neil

4 yrs ago

eight year wait for a hip replacement in Tasmania via public system; also three years for a colonoscopy via public system.

Neil.

Farside

4 yrs ago

free bowel cancer test returned a positive result so a colonoscopy was required; only three days on private health system (was a false positive so all good).

OJ21

4 yrs ago

Free bowel cancer test returned a positive result. Specialist appointment 1 week. Colonoscopy two weeks later. ON the PUBLIC health system. It works, and with the proper support and checks and balances will continue to do so. But successive Liberal Governments keep adjusting the system to make it less viable to justify dismantaling. They did it with Medibank and they will do it with Medicare eventualy.

neil

4 yrs ago

eight year wait for a hip replacement in Tasmania via public system; also three years for a colonoscopy via public system.

Neil.

Tanker

4 yrs ago

The current lot in government are intent on taking us down the American path of health care. Taxpayers are subsidising the Private Heath Industry otherwise it would collapse as it is not viable enough to stand on its own feet.

Farside

4 yrs ago

it has taken some time to eventuate but this happenstance was feared when Labor introduced Medibank years ago against objections from the Opposition. Declining uptake by younger age groups and increasing uptake by all age groups over 65 is only going to hasten judgement day. What is clear is that it will become a product afforded by the wealthy if nothing happens.

Tanker

4 yrs ago

OJ21

4 yrs ago

Put the Billions we give private health into the public system and make private insurers compete. The public health system could work well with proper support and private health would be more efficient with competition. We are always told competition leads to lower prices, well let them prove it. I always use the public system and have found very short waiting times (although i've never needed a hip replacement). Dental has always been a problem with successive governmetnts reluctant to put it on Medicare. We missed the oportunity in the last election when Labor esposed including it.

10 comments

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