Healthcare funding fears replaced by concerns for elderly

This represents a significant change from two years ago when government funding of healthcare represented people’s greatest concern.

The recent Bupa Healthwatch* poll revealed a staggering 85% of Australians expressed concern about how the public health system cares for the elderly. In contrast, Healthwatch research conducted in 2009 found that 91% of respondents cited a lack of funding by government of healthcare as their top concern.

Richard Bowden, Bupa Australia Managing Director, said the results highlight that people’s concerns over healthcare provision are constantly evolving.

“The research has revealed that Australians are very interested in the issue of healthcare and in particular how the healthcare system cares for older Australians,” Bowden said.

“The concerns raised reiterate the significant challenges which face our healthcare system – from how it deals with the demands placed on it by an ageing population, to increased rates of chronic disease and the impact of current and projected shortages of healthcare professionals.

“It also highlights the importance of the public and private aspects of the healthcare system working together to meet the future healthcare needs of Australians on an ongoing basis.”

State-based trends from the Healthwatch research:

• Western Australians were the most concerned about care for the elderly – 88% compared to 85% nationally. Interestingly there was a significant reduction in Western Australians’ level of concern for waiting times to have a procedure in hospital from 89% in 2009 to 66% in 2011.
• Queenslanders were the least concerned about waiting times in emergency departments (74% compared to 83% nationally), shortage of nurses (68% compared to 76% nationally) and difficulty of getting an appointment to see a GP (46% versus 52%).
• South Australians were the least concerned about the shortage of doctors (66% compared to 72% nationally) and waiting times to have a procedure in hospital (59% versus 69% nationally).
• Victorians (56%) were the least concerned about difficulties in getting an appointment to see a GP compared to 52% of respondents nationally. Victorians are also less concerned about nurse shortages (70% compared to 76% nationally) and doctor shortages (68% versus 72% nationally).
• New South Wales respondents emerged as the most concerned about a lack of funding by government for healthcare, with 87% of NSW respondents raising concerns compared to the national average of 81%.

Key national trends

• Nationally, 69% of respondents were concerned about waiting times to have a procedure in hospital, significantly lower than during 2009 when 88% of people were concerned about the issue.
• Across Australia, 76% of respondents were concerned about nurse shortages compared with 89% in 2009.
• Nearly 90% of respondents in 2009 said they were worried about doctor shortages compared to 72% in 2011.

Top 5 public healthcare system concerns for Healthwatch 2011

1. Care for the elderly
2. Shortages of available hospital beds
3. Waiting times in emergency departments
4. Lack of funding for healthcare by government
5. Shortage of nurses

– Ends –

Notes to Editors:
* The Bupa Healthwatch Poll 2011 was conducted by Galaxy Research during February 2011 using computer assisted telephone interviewing. The sample was 1,100 respondents aged 16 years and older throughout Australia. Following the completion of interviewing, the data was weighted by age, gender and region to reflect latest ABS population estimates.

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_{About Bupa in Australia
As Australia’s largest privately owned healthcare group, Bupa’s purpose is to help Australians live longer, healthier, happier lives. Bupa Australia Pty Limited proudly provides health insurance to more than three million Australians under the well known health insurance brands MBF, HBA, and Mutual Community. It also provides complementary healthcare services through Bupa Health Dialog Pty Ltd, Bupa Wellness Pty Ltd (trading as Peak Health Management) and Health Eyewear Pty Limited (trading as Blink Optical). Bupa Care Services Pty Limited is an aged care provider with 47 facilities around Australia.}

_{Bupa focuses on providing sustainable healthcare solutions that represent real value, and on leading the industry in the promotion of preventive health and wellness – helping customers better manage their health for the long-term. Bupa’s Australian businesses are part of the international Bupa Group, which cares for more than 30 million people in over 190 countries.}