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STATISTICS from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare have confirmed what many people might have guessed.
Demand for health care is on the rise in our GP clinics and Emergency Departments.
The number of in-hours ED attendances in Bendigo has increased in the past year, as have after-hours presentations.
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Meanwhile, GP attendances and Medicare benefits expenditure have increased in the Murray Primary Health Network region, an almost 100 square kilometre area stretching from the South Australian border to Albury-Wodonga, and down to Castlemaine.
GP visits are increasingly being bulk billed.
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Murray PHN chief executive officer Matt Jones said the statistics were consistent with other areas of the state.
“It’s reflective of that fact that, as a community, we’re requiring healthcare earlier and more often,” he said.
“Our health outcomes are continuing to drop, and we’re continuing to require health services in order to try and improve our health.”
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He expects the data to shift, as Primary Health Networks endeavour to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
“This is really around how the health system is being used,” Mr Jones said of the figures.
“We need better co-ordination and more effective services, and certainly that’s the role of the PHN.”
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In addition to improving the system, he said people needed to be managing their own health more actively.
Areas of focus included nutrition, physical exercise, and minimising substance use.
“A number of initiatives are available for people to access, and they’re available by talking to your local GP or health provider in terms of access to care or participation,” Mr Jones said.
The national average number of GP attendances per person was 6.1, an increase on 5.4 in 2010/11.