Medical/hospital Treatment In Adelaide

[Guzzler&Sas]

Hi there

Just wanted to tell a short story really (which may turn out to be quite a long story!) about the medical attention we have received here. About 9 months ago, Ruby (our then 3.5yr old) rode her bike, with helmet on off the top of our steps in the back yard. She was a very lucky girl not breaking her neck and escaped with 5 stitches in her forehead. We took her to Noarlunga hospital. Treatment first class.

Yesterday, she visited the doctor for the first time since being here (apart from routine vaccinations) with a very heavy cold/flu like symtons. The scare in WA got me thinking that I should take her to have her checked out - usually I would dose her up, keep her in etc. We received first class treatment, an appointment that day with our GP who gave her some anti-biotics, made an appointment to come back on thursday and sent us on our way.

About 8.30pm last night, her tempature was still souring, medicine had not brought it down and the WA thing still in our minds, we took her into the same hospital.

We were seen instantly, shown into a treatment room, where she was made to feel very welcome, nothing was too much trouble and we were given a remote control for our own TV in our private room to make us feel more at home.

The staff and doctors were amazing - we were out of there by 9pm, Ruby had had a thorough examination, change of anti-biotics, our minds at rest and 24 hours later Ruby is much, much better. It is amazing how quickly they bounce back!

We only have normal health cover with Medicare and a small insurance with Medibank. But this whole episode has cost us $9 or so for Ruby's first medicine. I am very impressed by the health service here and really wanted to share this experience to help put people's minds at rest moving away from the NHS.

Anyway, just thought I would let you know.

All the best
Sas

[ali@51]

Glad your little girl was ok.

good post thogh and very intresting for us we spend a lot of time in a&e with our oldest daughter ,nothing major gets corneal abrasions that the gp and optic wont check for because of her age so it is good to hear the service is good.thanks

[dglamoore]

Glad she is ok and just shows how good the health system is over here :D

Lisa

[Roo1]

Hey Sarah,

Glad to hear your girl is ok. I've only experienced the catch up injections here with Thomas and I can't praise the nurse at Sheidow Park (Amanda) enough.
She was very knowledgable and great with calming Thomas down as he hates injections.

I'm relieved to hear that the hospitals are first class too.....hopefully though we won't be needing their help in the near future!!! (touch plenty of wood)

Judi x

[Libby1971]

Hi

Glad to hear that everything is getting better for your daughter.

Ou experience was just as positive although this more outpatients...our eldest is being investigated for thyroid problems. She had an ultrasound scan done on her throat within 10 days and the report was with the GP within 24 hours. She also had a referral to a back specialist and an appoi tment made was for a month away. The GP rang while we were in with him and then after we had left the clinic in order to bring the appointment forward by 2 weeks.

I am sure the same service would be available in the UK if the poor GPs weren't so overworked.

I would like to say we have no private health insurance sorted yet and just have Medicare.

Libby

[lastboyscout]

I`m glad you daughter is ok :)

This post has put our minds at rest too, thanks for doing it

It sounds that the health system over there is very good and as for seeing a doctor, we have to wait 3 days with our GP, thats just to see him, so a great relief to know that it isn`t so bad over there ;)

[SI&DEE]

Im Glad that your daughter is fine, and loved your entry about the medical service you got. In all fairness it has been something that we have been thinking about, and how does it work.. But im glad you got the treatmet she needed and by the sounds of it better than the NHS.
Your medicare do you have to get your cards once you are there and is it free, or does come out via your wage.. Incorporated in your tax.. And does one persons wage cover a family of four.. Things im not to sure on, if anyone can help.
Also you mentioned insurance also, is that for the whole family, and what does it cover doctors, Hospita, dentist...?

Sorry so many questions..

Si Dee and Gang

[Guzzler&Sas]

thanks all - she is well now, they bounce back quick kids.

On arrival, get your Medicare sorted (plenty of places do it) which is free. Then if you decide, you can get extra insurance for ambulance cover, dental, other medical things. We have gone with Medibank and my husband sorted it all, so not sure how much it cost.

But rest assured, for A&E for kids, you only need your Medicare number - they take care of the rest.

Good luck
Sas

[Denise 42]

Hi
thanks for sharing that really useful information you have put my mind at rest. will be in Adelaide 22nd and will sign up for medicare
Denise