New analysis of patient experiences revealed 7.0 per cent of people who needed to see a General Practitioner (GP) in 2022-23 delayed or did not see one when needed due to cost, according to data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Robert Long, ABS head of health statistics, said: “This was double the number compared to 2021-22, when 3.5 per cent of people put off or did not see a GP when they needed because of the cost.”
“One in five people, or 19.3 per cent, said cost was a reason for delaying or not seeing a health professional for their mental health when needed. This rose from 16.7 per cent in 2021-22.”
“In 2022-23, data showed that 10.5 per cent of people said cost was a reason for putting off or not seeing a medical specialist when needed, up from 8.0 per cent in 2021-22.”
“People who said cost was a reason why they delayed visiting or didn’t go to a hospital when needed rose from 1.8 per cent in 2021-22 to 3.2 per cent in 2022-23.”
“There was also an increase in people who delayed or didn’t get prescription medication when needed due to cost, from 5.6 per cent in 2021-22 to 7.6 per cent in 2022-23.”
“Generally speaking, younger people and those living in areas of most socio-economic disadvantage were more likely to delay or not use certain health services when needed because of the cost,” Mr Long said.
Delaying or not seeing a health professional for mental health when needed due to cost was more common for young people between 15 and 24 years compared with people 65 years and over (23.0 per cent compared to 8.6 per cent).
People living in areas of most socio-economic disadvantage were more likely than people living in areas of least disadvantage to delay or not see a dental professional when needed due to cost (26.1 per cent compared to 11.1 per cent).
(ABS.GOV)
