4839.0 - Patient Experiences in Australia: Summary of Findings, 2014-15 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 13/11/2015   
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MEDIA RELEASE
13 November 2015
Embargo: 11:30 am (Canberra Time)
126/2015
Patients reporting more acceptable General Practitioner waiting times

The proportion of people waiting longer than they felt acceptable for a General Practitioner (GP) appointment has decreased in the last year, according to a new report released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

“Around 21 per cent of patients in 2014-15 reported waiting longer than they felt acceptable for a GP appointment, which has fallen from 23 per cent in 2013-14,” said Louise Gates from the ABS.

“In particular, a lower proportion of people in outer regional, remote and very remote areas reported waiting longer than they felt acceptable for a GP appointment, decreasing from 29 per cent in 2013-14 to 23 per cent in 2014-15."

At the same time, the majority of Australians continue to feel satisfied with the service provided by health professionals.

"Around 85 per cent of patients felt their dental professional always spent enough time with them, and 82 per cent felt they always listened carefully," said Ms Gates.

“By comparison, 72 per cent of patients felt their GP always spent enough time with them and listened carefully. For emergency department doctors and specialists, around 66 per cent felt that they always spent enough time with them, and 69 per cent felt they always listened carefully."

"While dental professionals rated highest in patient satisfaction, nearly 20 per cent of people delayed or did not see a dental professional when needed due to cost, compared with 8 per cent for medical specialists and 5 per cent for GPs ."

Further information can be found in Patient Experiences in Australia: Summary of Findings, 2014-15 (cat. no. 4839.0), available for free download from the ABS website, www.abs.gov.au.

Media Note

  • When reporting ABS data you must attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.
  • Media requests and interviews - contact the ABS Communications Section on 1300 175 070.