Hospital care

Victor

I wasn't sure where else to post this, sooo ....

What is the difference between going public or private (or semi-private) in a hospital. Does this refer to the medical care, ie. you get a private doctor of your choice as opposed to whoever's available or to general care like having a private room as agaisnt a ward?

And no, I'm not expecting to need hospitalisation.

dingding

THe main difference is the reduced waiting times, know someone who was diagnosed with cancer and would have had to wait 6 months for treatment as a public patient and was treated imediatly as a private patient, 2 days. This was 10 years ago so things might have improved since.

Also you have a choice of hospital and consultant. I would fully recommend it.

The_Minister

I work as a part-time caterer in a hosptal. The difference I notice is

1. Instead of six-to-a-room there are five.
2. There is a bathroom and shower in the room.
3. There is more choice of meals.

CathyMoran

As far as I know it refers to the standard of accomodation plus you may get treated faster than a public patient.

gandalf

Depends on the Situation.

If its an acute illness you will be treated the same as a public patient in public wards going through the A&E System. Your Healthcare insurer will be charged for some of the cost though. You may get access to a room with a couple of beds if available.

If its elective surgery then yes you will be seen faster and will have a better room.

Hitchhiker's Guide to...

Just from talking to some of my friends who have become doctors. A lot of them say that you are worse off with a private care hospital, because the doctors don't get to see the same volume of cases as they would in a public hospital. This doesn't apply to the situation where a public and private hospital are linked together. e.g. mater public and mater private, but to the case of stand-alone private hospitals.

Have been into the Mater Private, and it is seriously amazing. Thought i was going into a five-star hotel.