Healthcare in Brisbane
Health care services in Brisbane have always come aplenty and fair to all. Both local residents and expats who live in the capital of Queensland are appreciative of the government's relentless efforts in ensuring sustenance of public healthcare through its year-round initiatives.
The core of Australia’s famed ‘Sunshine State’ is indeed overwhelming with well-equipped and modern hospitals that deliver world-class healthcare services. Quality medical treatments and procedures are within reach in Brisbane and owing to its healthy economy; the city is free from any major illness which might require immunisation for expats. There is no need for vaccines as no preventive measures are required. But if one arrives from an infected area, he will be required to be immunised and to obtain a certificate of vaccination. All tourists and foreign nationals should visit their personal physician and have their general check-up four to six weeks before their departure date.
Health: A Top Concern of the Government
In general, the government funds universal medical services and pharmaceuticals and gives financial assistance to public hospitals, residential aged care facilities, and home and community care for the elderly. It also provides support for training health professionals and junior staff and offers financial assistance to tertiary students.
On top of those, the government also provides a variety of direct health services, including acute and psychiatric hospital care along with community and public health services that include school health, dental health, maternal and child health, occupational health, disease control activities and a variety of health inspection functions. To boot, the state also considers environmental control as a major health-promoting responsibility as efforts are geared towards proper garbage disposal, clean water and health inspections, along with home care and personal services such as immunisations.
The Importance of Health Insurance
Generally speaking, Australia has a universal healthcare scheme called Medicare which covers a wide range of medical services as well as subsidised prescriptions and free care for patients in public hospitals. The local government of Brisbane is advising residents, immigrants and expatriates to have healthcare insurance for them to have easy access in times of medical emergencies. As always, security will be a great factor as all insurance companies cover all medical needs and even allow the patient or the family to choose any physician, dentist or surgeon of their choice.
Insurance companies in Brisbane are known to offer very attractive packages which can include full maternal coverage and dental coverage, among others, although some dentists in private practice naturally charge slightly higher than public dentists do.
Doctors in Brisbane
Brisbane hires medical staff from other countries, especially caregivers for elderly residents. General Practitioners or GPs are abundant in the city and expats can see one either as a Medicare or a private patient. Appointments to see a GP should be made at least two days in advance. To see a specialist, a Medicare patient will need a referral from his GP while those who are covered by private insurance companies can schedule appointments directly. Some doctors also make house calls seven days a week, even in the middle of the night.
Hospitals and Emergency Service
Brisbane is served as Queensland’s hub of healthcare. Currently, this city has a total of 20 public hospitals and 30 private hospitals. These modernised and well-equipped facilities are supported by a wide range of specialist services which include but are not limited to ophthalmologists, dentists, cardiologists, dermatologists, physiotherapists and podiatrists.
- Public Hospitals
199 Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102
Phone: 07 3176 2111
Weippin Street, Cleveland, QLD 4163
Phone: 07 3488 3111
Butterfield Street, Herston, QLD 4029
Phone: 07 3636 8111
- Private Hospitals
259 Wickham Terrace, Brisbane, QLD 4000
Phone: 07 3834 6111
Newdegate Street, Greenslopes, QLD 4120
Phone: 07 3394 7111
245 McCullough Street, Sunnybank, QLD 4109
Phone: 07 3344 9444
Emergency services in Brisbane are open all twenty-four hours and seven days a week through the hotline, 000, which covers all types of emergencies, including medical, police and fire. Unlike other hotlines, 000 calls are free on all mobile phones, although many newer digital phones still require the user to hit the 112 which is the international standard emergency number.
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