Page 3110 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 16 September 2015
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
We have an ageing population. This is a good thing; we are living longer and that is something to be celebrated. The ABS Australian demographic statistics in June 2014 said over the past two decades the number of persons aged 85 years and over increased by 153 per cent compared with a total population growth of 32 per cent over the same period. We know as we age we tend to need more care, but our elderly are not a burden; they deserve the best care that we can deliver.
An increasing incidence of chronic diseases and poor lifestyle is also having an effect on our health system. Cancer remains the leading cause of death, 29 per cent, in the ACT closely followed by cardiovascular diseases and then respiratory diseases. Almost four per cent of our population had either type 1 or type 2 diabetes in 2011-12. Future projections from 2005 estimates show that between 15,000 and 22,000 people in the ACT will have diabetes by 2020. That is an increase of around 50 per cent.
In addition we are facing an obesity epidemic. This is a worldwide issue, and we are no exception in the ACT. In 2011-12, 63 per cent of adults and around one-quarter of children were reported as being overweight or obese in the ACT, and these rates are increasing.
Alcohol was also a contributing factor in injuries leading to hospitalisation, with 61 per cent men and four per cent under 18 years of age. The number of alcohol-attributable injuries in people aged 15 years and over being treated in ACT hospital emergency departments also increased. Unfortunately there are still too many Canberrans smoking. In 2011-12 the number of adults who reported being smokers was 15 per cent.
The consequences of obesity include increasing chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, resulting in more healthcare needs and a poorer quality of life. It is well known that lifestyle factors are the biggest contributors to some cancers and cardiovascular diseases—our biggest killers. We know these figures, the federal government know these figures, but they have cut front-line services, particularly those delivering essential preventative measures, for example, through the flexible health funds programs.
Our GPs in Canberra are the front line of providing primary healthcare, and while it is fantastic there has been increased access to GPs in Canberra through increased number of bulk-billed patients, it is unfortunate there are people in our community who still have to consider the cost when deciding whether or not to visit a doctor. In February the Productivity Commission’s report on government services said the availability of GPs per 100,000 people continues to increase within the ACT from 65.5 in 2010-11 to 72.0 in 2013-14. In fact, that same report states that the proportion of Canberrans who report they deferred visits to a GP due to cost is the joint highest in the nation at 6.9 per cent. We know people come to ED when they could receive care elsewhere.
Despite this, the federal Liberal government have continued to try and rip apart general practice, further making bulk-billing even less accessible and hurting our vulnerable community members the most. The only consideration a sick person should have when thinking about visiting their doctor is whether or not they need medical attention, not whether or not they can afford the visit.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video