Hi @Janie304,
I went all public. Had a brilliant surgeon that works both private and public.
I was also accepted at a private hospital as a public patient for chemo so I could use their cold cap (our hospital doesn't have them) and did my radiation there as well., Zero costs.
I have some friends who have gone all private and have been out of pocket a fortune as they didn't realise their health fund treated theses as outpatient appointments and don't cover them. I also know some that have gone private for the surgery and public for the rest. Seems this is a pretty good option. You get the surgeon you want and don't have to fork out thousands of dollars for chemo and rads if they are needed.
The public system for breast cancer in Australia is a pretty well oiled machine. We are very lucky.
The only annoying thing with the public system I find is that as you get further down the track with follow up reviews you don't really see your surgeon for those appointments. Just the Reg's. I am thinking about just paying for my next follow up apt privately so I get to see the consultant to answer some questions.
I work in the surgical ward of my local public hospital. All our breast surgery patients are given private rooms. Our Nurse manager is very particular about this.
It's a question to ask depending on where you go and how you feel about it. The RBH does have an excellent reputation as well. Fingers crossed for your appointment.
xoxoxox
