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.”
