For years various health, economic and social welfare bodies have warned successive governments that our 19th century healthcare system is no longer responding to the 21st century needs of the Australian community. There has been a trail of parliamentary, judicial and community reports detailing the tragic consequences of inaction and yet Australians consistently place health care near the top of their priority list. In this book, lobbyist and eminent psychiatrist Professor Ian Hickie examines why our healthcare system doesn't work and why governments throw up their hands, and explains what needs to be done to fix it, before a terrible crisis ensues. Throughout the book he explores various scenarios, examining the range of options for various types of patients and empowering you to make the best possible choices, whether public or private, for you or your family's health.
