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Summary: The Contemporary Australian Healthcare System

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The contemporary Australian healthcare system isn’t perfect and so there are many factors that strive to influence the system and make it more equitable for all. Two of these factors will be discussed and the way that they impact health in Australia will be identified. The two key influences that will be examined are Medicare and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS). For each idea, a basic history or background will be given, followed by what areas of the Australian health system need to be targeted, and, finally, how the factor currently affects the system. It can be argued that every single Australian has the right to equal healthcare access no matter who they are and where they are from. Factors such as Medicare and the Royal Flying Doctor …show more content…
A person is eligible for Medicare if they live in Australia and are an Australian or New Zealand citizen or an Australian permanent resident (Department of Human Services, 2017a). Medicare consists of three main aspects; hospital, medical, and pharmaceutical. (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [AIHW], 2014). Medicare provides access to a wide range of services including free treatment and accommodation for a public patient in a public hospital. It also covers free or subsidised care from health professionals, including doctors, specialists, optometrists, and occasionally allied health practitioners (Department of Human Services, 2017b). Medicare reimburses patients a certain percentage of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) fee when they visit a doctor outside of a hospital – 85% for a specialist and 100% for a GP. Although, if the doctor charges over the MBS fee, the patient has to pay the difference. Through Medicare, only a certain amount has to be paid towards prescription medications under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). The amount to be paid varies, with a maximum of $36.10. However, if the medication is not listed in the PBS, then patients must pay the full price for the medication (AIHW, 2014). So, this proves that Medicare, whilst not perfect, does permit people in all socio-economic circumstances easier access to …show more content…
Even before the RFDS, John Flynn was already working to cast a “mantle of safety” across inland Australia through religious and nursing support. Inspired by the advancements in radio and aviation from World War One, Flynn aimed to have a flying doctor service linked to a radio communication system. With the help of Hugh Victor McKay and Hudson Fysh (a founder of QANTAS), the RFDS’ first flight was from Cloncurry in 1928. Originally called the Australian Inland Mission Aerial Medical Service, it was unable to withstand the pressure of becoming a national service. So, a new constitution was drafted with some changes made to enable it to expand; it would eventually be renamed the Royal Flying Doctor Service (McKay, 2013). The goal of the RFDS is to try and generate higher levels of healthcare access to people in rural and remote regions of Australia. This is done by providing emergency care, outreach medical and allied health services, and on-call primary care services staffed by GPs and nurses (Daly, Speedy &

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