Summary

This bulletin examines the level of access to a range of health services by Australians with disability living in the community (excluding people living in institutions), and the experiences these people face in accessing health services.

Access to a range of health services by Australians with disability

In 2012, 95% of people with disability living in the community saw a general practitioner (GP), 22% saw a GP for urgent medical care, 59% saw a medical specialist and 49% visited a dentist. One-quarter (26%) visited a hospital emergency department (ED). One-third (32%) saw 3 or more different health professionals for the same health condition and 22% received assistance for coordination of their care provided by 3 or more different health professionals.

In that year, 1 in 5 (20%) people with disability who saw a GP waited longer than they felt was acceptable for a GP appointment; 17% who needed to see a GP delayed or did not go because of the cost.

Nearly one-fifth (18%) of people with disability who saw a medical specialist waited longer than they felt was acceptable to get the appointment. One in 5 (20%) people with disability did not see a medical specialist when they needed to, mainly because of the cost.

More than 1 in 10 (11%) people with disability who needed to see a dentist had been placed on a waiting list for an appointment at a public dental clinic, as with many other Australians. Of these, 32% were still waiting for the appointment at the time of the survey. Some 30% of people who needed to see a dentist delayed or did not go. Of these people, 67% delayed or did not go because of the cost.

Of people who saw 3 or more different health professionals for the same health condition, 16% had difficulties caused by a lack of communication or coordination among different health professionals.

About 13% of people with disability who reported a need for ongoing help or supervision with health-care activities (such as taking medication, manipulating or exercising muscles or limbs) had no source of assistance.

Differences in access to health services by Australians with disability

People with disability living in Outer regional and Remote areas had lower use rates of services from GPs, medical specialists, dentists and different types of health professionals than people with disability living in Major cities. They were more likely to visit a hospital ED for health issues that could potentially be dealt with by non-hospital services; to wait longer than they felt acceptable for a GP appointment; to delay seeing or not see a dentist; to be waiting for a medical specialist appointment and public dental care; and to face difficulties caused by a lack of communication among different types of health professionals in coordination of their care.

People with severe or profound core activity limitation (that is, sometimes or always needing help with activities of self-care, mobility or communication) were more likely than those with disability but without this level of limitation to use a range of health services, except for private dental services. They were more likely to be on a waiting list for public dental care and face difficulties caused by a lack of communication among different health professionals.

Females with disability were more likely than males with disability to use a range of health services.