Tim Dower: Primary care is the poor cousin of our health system

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge · Jun 20, 2022 · 2m

It's pretty tough in the emergency departments right now. Hospitals all over the country are pleading with people to leave the ED for life and death situations only.

I guess those of us who are lucky enough to enjoy pretty good health don't need to be told that; it says emergency in the name doesn't it?

Unfortunately for emergency departments, their front doors are open to all and anyone who turns up asking for treatment is eventually going to get seen.

And of course it's free, so it's the doctor's clinic of choice for people who either can't afford a GP, or can't get an appointment when they…