Has anyone "experienced" a bad/negative experience from a community??...in relation to "clogging up" a medical facility....or ..."overcrowding" a fav camping spot/nat park?? etc etc
Many years ago a park ranger confessed over a beer his views about visitors to a Nat park and it was not very complimentary at all.... I realise many have SINCE Covid 19 but am trying to get a sense about when things were "normal".....cheers Bilbo
Back a couple of years ago, when we had a bad flu going around I was talking to an outback local. who complained that all the grey nomads were coming north and bringing it with them. They were also accused of using up the Flying Doctor resources. If I remember rightly Broome was complaining about not having sufficient resources due to the influx of Grey Nomads. So, when you travel north next, if ever, don't you dare get sick. BUT I have never experienced any animosity from the locals. They were just saying.....
The Doctors (rightly so in my opinion), pointed out that the older travellers, were clogging up the few medical facilities, in their areas
When I pay my Medicare levy it covers me for all of Australia, if doctors have an issue with the level of medical facilities in their area then they should lobby their medical trade union (AMA - about time they did something useful) and/or government to provide more rather than tell me not to get sick in their manor.
I'm having some trouble, it seems, getting a flu shot in this small Vic town I'm camped near - they were quite happy to give me one last year when I spent $2500 in their town.
__________________
"I beseech you in the bowels of Christ think it possible you may be mistaken"
Oliver Cromwell, 3rd August 1650 - in a letter to the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland
Before this pandemic the paid camping areas and caravan parks were governed by bookings and when they are full they take no more people. Unfortunately this is different with free camps and we all know what that may be like. The problem is that many times people just believe that they are entitled. Now many National Parks are there own worst enemy with the almost hopeless booking system and if not booking then it will unfortunately come down the the self entitled exceeding rules with regard to length of time spent etc.
.............
In reality medical services, or more to the point, doctor availability, has absolutely nothing to do with the amount of money spent in any given town by a grey nomad
What mainly governs the amount of doctors in a town is population.
The pressure on the resources during a year without a pandemic in the country is extremely high. The pressure on those same resources when having to contend with this pandemic is enormous. This extra pressure is only caused by those travellers who believe that they are entitled.
When some representatives of certain areas were recommending or asking people not to visit their town or region due to the extra load on their medical resources, it was due to just that, the extra load on the local medical service.
The number of doctors in a region is governed by permanent resident population, not on an unpredictable influx number of Grey Nomads and backpackers who may turn up during the southern winter months. To have the numbers of medical staff to cope with this influx in some areas is virtually impossible as these medical people will be standing idle for a large percentage of the year.
From my observations many Nomads wont help themselves when it comes to simple things like regular prescriptions. Many times these can be organised online but it has appeared to me that many still insist on visiting a doctor.
Flu shots are the same, they can be administered by many chemists.
If the travelling public have problems receiving medical services they should probably plan their travel to be near to the larger regional centres or cities where they may get to visit a doctor within a reasonable time frame. If they have a pre existing condition they may need to rethink their travel arrangements completely.
Regards
Angie
-- Edited by bentaxlebabe on Monday 27th of April 2020 08:48:35 AM
-- Edited by bentaxlebabe on Monday 27th of April 2020 08:52:32 AM
Everyone will have their own perspective based on their own needs and experiences.
I was about to have urgent surgery the day after the restrictions were announced. I'm now going under the knife in 2 days. So that's good.
Getting to my regular doctor has always been a pain. Days before an appointment and a long wait when you get there. But the last week or two has been a breeze. Same day appointment and no wait. So folks are avoiding going to their doctor.
The virus has just amplified human nature.
The Doctors (rightly so in my opinion), pointed out that the older travellers, were clogging up the few medical facilities, in their areas
When I pay my Medicare levy it covers me for all of Australia, if doctors have an issue with the level of medical facilities in their area then they should lobby their medical trade union (AMA - about time they did something useful) and/or government to provide more rather than tell me not to get sick in their manor.
I'm having some trouble, it seems, getting a flu shot in this small Vic town I'm camped near - they were quite happy to give me one last year when I spent $2500 in their town.
Hi Mike
We (in my opinion), have to put ourselves on the fence sometimes, and look at both sides of an argument
It is not the Doctors fault, that their local medical facilities, are overwhelmed, when the elderly travellers visit their towns, (in the case of the North West of Australia, in winter months)
I am sure that the powers that be, (unless they are idiots), know exactly what is happening
When the elderly travellers forget to obtain a script from their home base doctor, for their normal health conditions, and do not carry enough medicine with them
They are faced with two choices, while (like myself), they are travelling/camping, to get the sun
Make a Doctors appointment, (like many other patients), in a small town, which may not be available for many weeks ahead
Walk into the emergency department of the small local hospital, when their known medical condition deteriorates, due to lack of prescribed medicine
What the Doctors are saying, is to bring your medicine with you, because if you do not, then you will be cluttering up our medical resources
Perhaps they are saying it, and ensuring that it is published in our southern newspapers, as some elderly travellers do not know, that medical facilities are scarce in the unpopulated areas
Here localy the hospital has been reduced to a clearing station, so any thing not simple is flown to Adelaide. Or told to drive there (aprox 3.5Hr trip depending on road works). The local doctor thats been here for 45years has retired. We rely on locum doctors if you can get them. At present you can have an apointment with a doctor by phone not in person. So it doesnt mater whether you are a private patient or have paid into Medicare. For free flu shots you have to ring for an apointment on certain days & its drive through no geting out of your vehicle. Also after my flu shot there was a small sticker on some paper work. It had For 65 yrs & older only FLUAD Quad 2020 Season. Not quite the same as our local chemist shots.
-- Edited by DeBe on Monday 27th of April 2020 03:48:34 PM
-- Edited by DeBe on Monday 27th of April 2020 03:49:47 PM
Quite often in the last few years, I have read about Doctors in the North of Western Australia, complaining about older travellers
The Doctors were asking the older travellers, to ensure that they had enough medicines, for the amount of time, they would be in the North
It appears that they were going to the Emergency part of the hospitals, expecting to receive their normal medications
The Doctors (rightly so in my opinion), pointed out that the older travellers, were clogging up the few medical facilities, in their areas
On my tour last year, I had a bout of Diverticulitus. My regular Doctor would not send a script to the local Chemist but suggested that I go to the local Hospital Emergency section. He was concerned about a wrong diagnosis.
I tried to get an appointment at the local Doctors' surgery but they couldn't fit me in for a week.
In the end I just put up with the pain & drove home (took about 3 days) and had an appt with my local GP. Earlier than what I could have got had I stayed in Cunnamulla.
Had the condition worsened I certainly would have attended the local emergency section without a second thought, as is my entitlement.
It would seem that these northern towns want your money but not your medical problems. Isn't medicare for all Australians no matter where they happen to be. We have also found difficulty filling prescriptions more than one month ahead if intending to travel to isolated areas for some time.
Some / many hospital outpatients areas will not issue regular prescriptions however they will generally dispense immediate requirements if you have attended with a condition.
What is being asked is nothing more than the obvious. Make suitable arrangements for medications before leaving home. Have a good talk to your GP and explain the situation. When we first travelled after retiring my husband Rob had scripts issued to last him 12 months by talking openly to our doctor. Most doctors do know of the problems with fluctuating and unpredictable populations in smaller towns when people are wanting a doctors appointment.
Flu shots are available at many chemists. The reason this is not the choice of most Nomads is that you have to pay.....
If you have a condition that requires ongoing treatment then make prior arrangements or stay home.
The current situation will become the norm over years in country towns, thinking and planning ahead will serve many of you well.
Many GP surgerys will not receive new patients if you have just turned up for a couple of months to enjoy the warmer weather.
Most times you will be told to make an appointment at a GP in a large regional centre or obtain prescriptions and medication on line.
Another thing that should be noted is that being abusive and demanding what you may think are your rights probably wont work either. My daughter in law works as a receptionist for a doctor and some stories of abuse from people who believe that they have this entitlement are horrendous.
Plan ahead, spending money in a town does not buy you a pass.
Some / many hospital outpatients areas will not issue regular prescriptions however they will generally dispense immediate requirements if you have attended with a condition.
What is being asked is nothing more than the obvious. Make suitable arrangements for medications before leaving home. Have a good talk to your GP and explain the situation. When we first travelled after retiring my husband Rob had scripts issued to last him 12 months by talking openly to our doctor. Most doctors do know of the problems with fluctuating and unpredictable populations in smaller towns when people are wanting a doctors appointment.
Flu shots are available at many chemists. The reason this is not the choice of most Nomads is that you have to pay.....
If you have a condition that requires ongoing treatment then make prior arrangements or stay home.
The current situation will become the norm over years in country towns, thinking and planning ahead will serve many of you well. Many GP surgerys will not receive new patients if you have just turned up for a couple of months to enjoy the warmer weather. Most times you will be told to make an appointment at a GP in a large regional centre or obtain prescriptions and medication on line.
Another thing that should be noted is that being abusive and demanding what you may think are your rights probably wont work either. My daughter in law works as a receptionist for a doctor and some stories of abuse from people who believe that they have this entitlement are horrendous.
Plan ahead, spending money in a town does not buy you a pass.
Regards
Angie
The above is often called "making a mountain out of a molehill".
There are a very small number of people who behave in the way you describe, most people are sensible and polite, yet you present as if ranting were the norm because it makes for a harder hitting post and, of course, is impossible to justify. This is called a "Straw man" argument:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_man
The situation seems quite simple to me:
If country towns seek goodwill from tourists and nomads then country towns must show good will to those people. Selective ethics do not work in my book and I shall remember who my friends were.
__________________
"I beseech you in the bowels of Christ think it possible you may be mistaken"
Oliver Cromwell, 3rd August 1650 - in a letter to the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland
The Doctors (rightly so in my opinion), pointed out that the older travellers, were clogging up the few medical facilities, in their areas
When I pay my Medicare levy it covers me for all of Australia, if doctors have an issue with the level of medical facilities in their area then they should lobby their medical trade union (AMA - about time they did something useful) and/or government to provide more rather than tell me not to get sick in their manor.
I'm having some trouble, it seems, getting a flu shot in this small Vic town I'm camped near - they were quite happy to give me one last year when I spent $2500 in their town.
Mike, your post at least to me, smacks of the same qualities as you applied to my post.
There has been other topics on this very forum regarding difficulty in obtaining medical services from GPs in country towns.
Why would you ignore the recommendations of local govt representatives and many others and travel to a country town and expect to just waltz into the doctors at your convenience.
Your dilemma may have been avoided by planning ahead.
As I suggested without prejudice, plan ahead, spending money in a town does not buy you a pass.
To the OP,
The problem with obtaining services from GPs in country and remote areas is not a new one, it has been evident in many areas for quite some time. The services are stretched to the limits when the towns are inundated with older travellers who want to see local doctors when they arrive. In many areas the resources available just can not meet the unpredictable demand. It is a fair indication of many of these communities offering doctors incredible deals on housing and other services just to get them to stay, but unfortunately the attraction of the larger cities in many cases takes precedence.
Now completely off topic.
Our collective governments throw money at many projects which are probably a lot less important than medical services. Maybe there could be procedures put in place where when we provide university training for all these people from overseas then part of the deal might be to stay in Australia and be located in more remote areas to provide needed services if at least for a set time thus creating a revolving supply of new young doctors.
Maybe govt incentives to have the local young Australian based adults train as doctors in our universities with the proviso of returning to their own community to practice in their home community.
I could go on and on but I think most will understand from where I am coming.
How about we have a massive medical training program of people already living in Australia particularly those with ties to outback areas rather than importing staff from overseas.
How about we have a massive medical training program of people already living in Australia particularly those with ties to outback areas rather than importing staff from overseas.
How about we do that with all trades and services instead of importing workers,
Something to think about.
I live in a coastal region three hours by road from our nations capital. To see my preferred doctor means waiting at least a week. To see a random doctor means a wait of usually two days.
They will not bulk bill unless you only want a script and can manage to make an appointment during one of their two three hour window each week. Ask for a test result while you are there and your bulk billed visit turns into a full appointment, $80 later you can leave.
Visiting the hospital ED usually includes a minimum of a couple of hours wait, unless you are categorised as high risk e.g. heart or critical concerns. The hospital will not give out scripts and only dispenses medication for the condition you presented for.
This is in an area with a decent population, I can only imagine what it is like in the communities with a small normal population.
We have never had a problem in seeing a doctor over the last 5 years on the road, but we do have a number of doctors which we consider our family doctors we have them in Adelaide, Sydney, SE Qld, Nth Qld, Central Qld and northern Victoria, they all bulk bill.
Its only at the moment that our north Qld doctor is flat out and whilst my partner need to have regular scans and blood tests, on advice from her we are holding off on the next set of tests until June.
How about we have a massive medical training program of people already living in Australia particularly those with ties to outback areas rather than importing staff from overseas.
in some places overseas areas /town in rural /remote place pay scholarships to people to study medicine with the agreement that when qualified they practice in that area .
