FEWER Australians are delaying or not using selected health services when needed compared to two years ago, according to new data released this week by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
However, a significant minority of people delayed or did not get prescription medication when needed due to cost (7.5%), a similar level to 2023-24 (8.0%).
Those most likely to delay or go without prescription medicines due to cost were people aged 25-34, people living in areas of most socio-economic disadvantage, females, and those with a long-term health condition.
The Royal Australian College of GPs painted a positive picture around improved access to GPs, noting a decrease in the number who could not see a GP when needed, and increased time spent with patients.
In 2024-25, 27% of people delayed or did not see a GP when required, with 8% of people citing cost as a reason.
This was an improvement on 2022-23, when 30% delayed or did not see a GP when necessary.
While two-thirds of people (67%) said they could see their preferred GP when needed, one in four (26%) said they waited longer than they felt acceptable for an appointment.
The typical GP consult is now almost 20 minutes and has increased by 11% over the past three years due to more patients needing more complex care.
"It's heartening that more patients are reporting their GP spends the time with them they need, but the patients less likely to report their GP spends enough time with them are in less-advantaged areas and live with chronic conditions," said RACGP President Dr Michael Wright.
"These are the patients who most need higher Medicare funding for longer consultations.
"Research consistently shows patients who can spend the time they need to with their GP are less likely to need hospitalisation." KB
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