Get re-acquainted with your GP

With COVID-19 keeping many people at home and away from their GPs, there are growing fears there may be thousands of serious illnesses going undiagnosed around Australia.

Cancelling or postponing activities has become a normal part of life in the last two years. Even simple tasks like going to the shops have become complicated, as we weigh up the pros and cons of spending time around others.

Trips to the doctor are no exception. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the proportion of people who said they delayed or did not use the following health services when needed due to COVID-19 was:

• GPs (12.5% of women and 6.8% of men)
• After-hours GPs (8.5% of women and 5.4% of men)
• Medical specialists (8.4% of women and 6.0% of men). 

These significant reductions have a flow-on effect to the diagnosis and treatment of many serious illnesses. For example, Cancer Australia revealed there were almost 164,000 fewer diagnostic procedures (such as colonoscopies and mammograms) for 14 cancer types in 2020 than in the previous year.

With fewer people undergoing diagnostic procedures, thousands of Australians could be missing out on valuable opportunities to detect serious illnesses early.

Early detection is key to treatment

We know that with many serious illnesses, the earlier you are diagnosed the better your treatment options and health outcomes generally are.

Cancer is a great example of this, which is why we have national population-based screening programs in place to help detect breast cancer, cervical cancer and bowel cancer. These tests are provided free of charge for people who are\.

It’s not just about physical illnesses either. COVID-19 has caused a significant amount of stress, anxiety and loneliness for many people – many of whom haven’t sought help during the pandemic.

The Australian Bureau of Statistic reports that in 2020/21, 17.3% of people needed to see a health professional for their mental health. Of these people, more than a third (34.3%) delayed or did not see one when needed.

Make an appointment today

If you’ve been putting off seeing someone about your physical or mental health, make an appointment with your GP as soon as possible. You may even be able to do a phone consultation if it’s easier.

The most important thing is to make sure you and your loved ones are getting the medical support and treatment you need, this year and every year.

This information is current as at 16 December 2021 and may be subject to change.

It is derived from sources believed to be accurate as at this date. It should not be considered to be a comprehensive statement on any matter and should not be relied on as such.