Australians Understand the Real Value of Private Hospitals

Providing patients with choice of doctor, offering timely access to services and better care are the top three reasons Australians value private hospitals in this country* according to new research commissioned by the Australian Private Hospitals Association in time for Private Hospitals Week (12‐18 May 2013).

“This research clearly shows when Australians are sick or injured, they want the peace of mind that they will be treated by the doctor they choose and that they will receive treatment when they need it, without waiting,” said Michael Roff, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Private Hospitals Association. “They know they will also receive better, more personalised care in a private hospital.”

This week more than 300 private hospitals and day surgeries are celebrating the fourth annual Private Hospitals Week to help raise awareness of the important role private hospitals play in delivering quality and timely care for Australians.

“Private Hospitals Week is an excellent opportunity for us to highlight the services private hospitals and day
surgeries provide to Australians across the country,” said Mr Roff. “Private hospitals are vital to the Australian health care system. Without private hospitals many Australians would not get the care they need when they need it.”

Simple statistics tell the story:
 Private hospitals treat 40% of all patients in Australia each year.
 Private hospitals and day surgeries perform 2 out of every 3 elective surgeries.
 Private hospitals perform 45% of all heart surgeries in Australia.
 Private hospitals and day clinics provide more than 40% of chemotherapy.
 Private hospitals treat 70% of people admitted for rehabilitation each year.

“We are also encouraging our patients, staff and the local community to speak up and share why they value
Australia’s private hospitals on our website and on our Facebook page,” concluded Mr Roff.

‐Ends‐

Notes to editors:
For more information about Private Hospitals Week and the Valuing Private Hospitals campaign, see
www.privatehospitals.org.au or Australia’s Private Hospitals on Facebook. For more information or to interview Mr Roff, contact Lisa Ramshaw, Director of Communications at APHA on 0413 971 999.

*The Role of Private Hospitals in Australia, 2013 Community Attitudes Research surveying 1,652 Australian residents aged 18+, Undertaken by Proof Research on
behalf of APHA, April 2013.