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Health System of New England
New England's health system offers a fully comprehensive system of care to all New Englanders through a body known as Medibank. This system is almost completely subsidised by the government through taxation and allows for most treatments to be given at little or no charge. All of New England's citizens and permanent residents are guaranteed treatment and do not require medical insurance to seek assistance.
Established in 2012, the management of the heath system resides with the Ministry of Health & Welfare, with the day-to-day operations of Medibank managed by seven Regional Health Boards and a number of specialised and independent bodies known as Specialist Health Trusts. In addition, the management of New England health infrastructure is managed by a crown statutory agency separate to the provision of health care services.
Overview
There are currently twenty-seven hospitals in New England, all which have accident & emergency wards. New England's hospitals are both public and private. The large majority of hospitals are run by Medibank. The Unitarian and Roman Catholic churches also run a network of small private hospitals who will often take and treat patients with private health insurance before and after surgery in a medibank hospital. There are twenty district hospitals, who generally take most patients in the first instance and after the most critical periods of treatment. In severe cases and situations requiring specialist surgery, patients are transferred to one of seven regional hospitals, which are located in the major cities.
Almost all communities with more than 1,000 people will have at least one general practitioner running either a private surgery or a Medibank clinic. These surgeries offer a range of primary care, such as treating acute and chronic illnesses, providing preventive care and health education. For more serious conditions, patients are admitted to hospitals for acute treatment. While the majority of New Englanders are covered by Medibank, a large number have additional private insurance as a 'top up' for after surgery care and shorter waiting times.
Medibank
Medibank is the national comprehensive health care system that was established in 2014 to replace the Australian Medicare service. All citizens, regardless of age or prior medical condition, are automatically insured for their entire lives. Medibank provides the majority of healthcare in England, including general practitioners, hospital care, respite care, specialist care, dentistry and prescriptions.
The system is paid for in part by the Health Insurance Levy, with the remainder paid from general taxation. A person can seek treatment in an Accident & Emergency ward at no cost to themselves, with all costs being picked up through Medibank. Likewise for all essential surgery, which is also paid for by Medibank, with only some services carrying a small charge. When seeking treatment, patients are free to choose their own doctor and hospital.
Private Insurance
New England has inherited the dual public-private insurance system from Australia.
Ambulance Service
The Royal New England Ambulance Service is an independent trust of Medibank.
Insurance for ambulance services is volunatry, but can be paid as part of a person's Electricity Commission levy.
| Health System of New England |
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| · Medibank · |
