It is apparent that the reason the health system (if you can call it that) is foundering , is the greed of the surgeons and specialists.
I must add that this is not all of them and some of them behave excellently .
My wife had an experience of this a few years ago with a wart on her hand. She had tried all the usual remedies and it had not been dented to she sought the help of our GP.
He advised that the waiting list at out public hospital was so long that it would take forever to be seen and advised seeing a specialist.
An appointment duly made and a short consultation later, she was surprised that he did not remove it there and then.
He told her that she would have to attend a private day hospital to have it operated on.
The first consultation was for about ten minutes and cost around $400, the day hospital was going to cost $1000 and on top of that would be his fee for operating.
She decided that she would ask to listed at the public hospital and wait.
A few weeks later she was given an appointment and seen by a dermatologist who prescribed some cream. A week later the wart fell off.

Thankfully new technology will enable better targeting by radiation therapy that just targets the cancer cells, and given that's so, with less resultant side effects And better treatment that actually just might extend the time left?

Simply put, nothing is gained by surgical procedures that don't get all of the cancer, particularly the secondaries, and almost impossible to treat once they've migrated into the bones.

That said, I'd also opt for targeted immune response (T cell) therapy, were I in Bruce's shoes, with his insurance.

Good luck and get well soon mate.

On a different note and relating to different plumbing.

If you think surgery is expensive mate, have a bo peep at my plumber's bill, and just not covered by increasingly expensive insurance!

I'm thousands of dollars out of pocket thus far; and just for a tiny pinprick hole in a pipe!
Rhrosty.

I think Minister Susan Ley would do something about this, if she gets to know about such practices.

As april 1 approaches and health insurance rates go up yet again; and as usual, significantly faster than the inflation rate, [it's just not doctors making hay from the misery of patients forced to seek remedial procedures,]check out members only funds, if only to save your money, get something you can afford, that like member's super, doesn't pay commissions, you might save a shilling or two?

And have a butchers at extras to see how much extra they're costing you and perhaps consider paying for them out of pocket, should the need ever arise?

Take better care of your teeth and consider, eyeglasses are usually something you might need after forty?

And just google member's insurance to get a comprehensive list of not for profit providers. friendly societies etc.

And consider prepaying your funeral, there is an easy payment plan available almost everywhere, there's a day when unlike ubiquitous insurance, you stop paying, moreover the costs are frozen and just don't rise once you've paid them!

No? Grandad or Granny has no computer?

Give them a bell and advise them, just go to the nearest public library and ask to be shown how to get online and take notes.

That's how to choose or select what you need, and miss paying those often onerous hidden commissions that make those (charitable, ha,ha,) helpers with their "FREE" service able to afford to bombard the airwaves with their preferred list of multiple commission paying providers. A fool and their money are soon parted!
Rhrosty.

I'm recovering from a major operation, involving two surgeons, over 9 hours on the operating table, 6 days in intensive care and another five in a ward, plus another three when I had an unexpected bleed - this involved 100km in an ambulance. At all times, from initial diagnosis through to the 3 monthly checkups I now attend, I was treated with absolute professionalism and respect. All fees were discussed with me prior to the treatment.

Actually, come to think of it, there were three nurses that I wanted to...

A few years ago, I had a melanoma removed, and in that case was treated with care and consideration.

I live in the Newcastle area, and I must say that if you're going to get sick, this is the place to do it.

If there are any problems that stand out, they are to do with the bureaucracy, and the incredible amount of paper work and form filling involved. Very frustrating for all concerned!

The problem is not so much the surgeon's, its the fact that a stop go sign attendant receives $24 an hour.

There's the problem, who wants to be a surgeon unless your reward is worth it.