Patients pay $32.45 to see a doctor, says candidate

Patients in Robertson now pay an average out-of-pocket fee of $32.45 to see a doctor, according to Labor candidate for Robertson Ms Anne Charlton.

"This cost is unaffordable for many local people, with an estimated 6000 people delaying or avoiding seeing their GP each year," Ms Charlton said.

"Another 10,500 people in Robertson skip seeing specialists due to cost, with average out-of-pocket fees of $75.05 and much higher for many patients."

Ms Charlton visited Woy Woy Hospital on March 8 with Federal Shadow Minister for Health and Medicare, Ms Catherine King.

"The Liberals are cutting over $10M from Central Coast public hospitals between now and 2020," Ms Charlton said.

"The cut to Central Coast hospitals is equivalent to: five beds; 14 doctors; 28 nurses; Over 15,000 emergency department visits; or over 24,000 outpatient appointments.

"Rebates for GPs, specialists and allied health services all remain frozen, and the freeze won't be fully lifted until 2020."

SOURCE:

Media release, 8 Mar 2018

Anne Charlton, Labor's candidate for Robertson