Health services

NSW Health provides a range of health care services to New South Wales residents delivered across a variety of settings. The New South Wales Population Health Survey includes a range of questions that monitor access to health services. Questions focus on private health insurance, difficulties getting health care, presentation to emergency departments, admissions to hospital, visits to general practice, use of public dental services, and use of community health centres.

Private health insurance

In 2006-2009, just under 3 in 10 Aboriginal adults (27.0 per cent) had private health insurance. A significantly higher proportion of males (33.4 per cent) than females (21.5 per cent) had private health insurance. Among males, there was no significant difference among age groups. Among females, a significantly lower proportion of those aged 25-34 years (11.0 per cent), and a significantly higher proportion of those aged 55-64 years (37.3 per cent), had private health insurance, compared with the overall Aboriginal adult female population.

There was no significant difference between urban and rural health areas. A significantly lower proportion of adults in the North Coast Area Health Service (11.4 per cent) had private health insurance, compared with the overall Aboriginal adult population.

Since 1997-1998, there has been a significant increase in the proportion of Aboriginal adults who had private health insurance (17.4 per cent to 27.0 per cent). The increase has been significant in males and females, and in urban health areas.

Difficulties getting health care

In 2006-2009, over 2 in 10 Aboriginal adults (24.3 per cent) had difficulties getting health care when needing it. There was no significant difference between males and females. Among males, a significantly lower proportion of those aged 16-24 years (8.5 per cent) and 65 years and over (9.3 per cent) had difficulties getting health care when needing it, compared with the overall Aboriginal adult male population. Among females, a significantly lower proportion of those aged 16-24 years (10.8 per cent) and 65 years and over (16.6 per cent), and a significantly higher proportion of those aged 25-34 years (41.2 per cent) and 35-44 years (39.9 per cent), had difficulties getting health care when needing it, compared with the overall Aboriginal adult female population.

A significantly lower proportion of Aboriginal adults in urban health areas (15.5 per cent) than rural health areas (29.8 per cent) had difficulties getting health care when needing it. A significantly higher proportion of adults in the Greater Southern Area Health Service (41.1 per cent), and a significantly lower proportion of adults in the Sydney South West (9.5 per cent) and South Eastern Sydney & Illawarra (12.6 per cent) Area Health Services, had difficulties getting health care when needing it, compared with the overall Aboriginal adult population.

Since 1997-1998, there has been a significant increase in the proportion of Aboriginal adults who had difficulties getting health care when needing it (14.9 per cent to 24.3 per cent). The increase has been significant in males and females, and in rural health areas.

Emergency department presentations

In 2006-2009, under 3 in 10 Aboriginal adults (25.6 per cent) presented to an emergency department on 1 or more occasions in the last 12 months. There was no significant difference between males and females. Among males, there was no significant difference among age groups. Among females, there was no significant difference among age groups.

There was no significant difference between urban and rural health areas or among area health services.

Since 1997-1998, there has been no significant change in the proportion of Aboriginal adults who presented to an emergency department on 1 or more occasions in the last 12 months; however, there has been a significant increase in females (19.2 per cent to 27.8 per cent).

Hospital admissions

In 2006-2009, just under 2 in 10 Aboriginal adults (18.2 per cent) were admitted to hospital on 1 or more occasions in the last 12 months. There was no significant difference between males and females. Among males, a significantly higher proportion of those aged 55-64 years (34.7 per cent) were admitted to hospital on 1 or more occasions in the last 12 months, compared with the overall Aboriginal adult male population. Among females, there was no significant difference among age groups.

There was no significant difference between urban and rural health areas. A significantly lower proportion of adults in the Northern Sydney & Central Coast (7.8 per cent) and North Coast (9.3 per cent) Area Health Services, were admitted to hospital on 1 or more occasions in the last 12 months, compared with the overall Aboriginal adult population.

Since 1997-1998, there has been no significant change in the proportion of Aboriginal adults who were admitted to hospital on 1 or more occasions in the last 12 months.

General practices

In 2006-2009, just over 8 in 10 Aboriginal adults (83.0 per cent) visited a general practice in the last 12 months. A significantly lower proportion of males (76.3 per cent) than females (89.0 per cent) visited a general practice in the last 12 months. Among males, a significantly higher proportion of those aged 45-54 years (97.4 per cent), 55-64 years (93.7 per cent), and 65 years and over (92.0 per cent), visited a general practice in the last 12 months, compared with the overall Aboriginal adult male population. Among females, there was no significant difference among age groups.

There was no significant difference between urban and rural health areas or among area health services.

Since 1997-1998, there has been no significant change in the proportion of Aboriginal adults who visited a general practice in the last 12 months.

Public dental services

In 2006-2009, under 2 in 10 Aboriginal adults (15.5 per cent) attended a public dental service in the last 12 months. There was no significant difference between males and females. Among males, a significantly lower proportion of those aged 35-44 years (4.1 per cent) and 65 years and over (2.0 per cent), attended a public dental service in the last 12 months, compared with the overall Aboriginal adult male population. Among females, a significantly lower proportion of those aged 55-64 years (10.4 per cent) attended a public dental service in the last 12 months, compared with the overall Aboriginal adult female population.

There was no significant difference between urban and rural health areas. A significantly lower proportion of adults in the Sydney South West Area Health Service (7.7 per cent) attended a public dental service in the last 12 months, compared with the overall Aboriginal adult population.

Since 2002-2005, there has been no significant change in the proportion of Aboriginal adults who attended a public dental service in the last 12 months.

Community health centres

In 2006-2009, under 2 in 10 Aboriginal adults (18.1 per cent) attended a community health centre in the last 12 months. A significantly lower proportion of males (12.0 per cent) than females (23.3 per cent) attended a community health centre in the last 12 months. Among males, a significantly lower proportion of those aged 16-24 years (6.7 per cent) attended a community health centre in the last 12 months, compared with the overall Aboriginal adult male population. Among females, there was no significant difference among age groups.

A significantly lower proportion of adults in urban health areas (12.2 per cent) than rural health areas (21.7 per cent) attended a community health centre in the last 12 months. A significantly lower proportion of adults in the Sydney West (5.8 per cent), Northern Sydney & Central Coast (6.2 per cent), and Hunter & New England (6.7 per cent) Area Health Services, and a significantly higher proportion of adults in the Greater Western Area Health Service (29.4 per cent), attended a community health centre in the last 12 months, compared with the overall Aboriginal adult population.

Since 2002-2005, there has been no significant change in the proportion of Aboriginal adults who attended a community health centre in the last 12 months.

Graphs

Source:	New South Wales Population Health Survey 2006-2009 (HOIST). Centre for Epidemiology and Research, NSW Department of Health.
Print version:	Although this page can be printed directly from your web browser, a higher quality version is available as a PDF file that can be printed or viewed on screen.
Produced by:	Centre for Epidemiology and Research, Population Health Division, NSW Department of Health.
Last updated on:	1 August 2010