Private hospitals misunderstood
New research shows 70% of Australians believe Australia’s health care system would not cope without a strong private hospitals sector. However, the research, commissioned by the Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA) in January, highlighted many Australians – particularly older people – still did not understand private hospitals.
New research shows 70% of Australians believe Australia’s health care system would not cope without a strong private hospitals sector.
However, the research, commissioned by the Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA) in January, highlighted many Australians – particularly older people and those aged between 18 to 24 years – still did not understand the significance of Australian private hospitals to the nation’s overall health care network.
The data was released to coincide with Private Hospitals Week, which kicked off on Monday (26 March 2012). The week will aim to educate the community on the importance of private hospitals and the range of services they offer.
“It is important to understand the private health system treats 40% of all patients in Australia, which is more than 3.7 million patients each year,” APHA’s chief executive, Michael Roff, said.
“Australia’s private hospitals also offer 99% of the same treatments and procedures as public hospitals. They are not only a crucial part of Australia’s overall health system, but also a part of their local communities.”
According to Mr Roff, Private Hospitals Week gives hospitals an occasion to “bridge the knowledge gap and educate Australians about the range and types of services available”.
He added it was the “opportunity for hospitals across the country to open up their doors and showcase the brilliant work they do”.
“Each private hospital has an important role to play in Australia’s overall health system and together we are ensuring that Australians continue to have access to the best healthcare services in the country.”
While older Australians had some understanding of the types of services provided by private hospitals, age reportedly played more of a factor in the 42% of those aged 18 to 24 years who remained unsure about how private hospitals operated.
As part of Private Hospitals Week, people can visit the Valuing Private Hospitals Campaign Facebook page to vote in a photo competition, where hospitals from across the country have entered photos of what they ‘like’ at their facilities.
