Speaking of wasting Government money

[*crikey*mate*]

I just collected a package from the post office from the Australian Government (that's what it said on the envelope) It was addressed to my OH - it had all this informational stuff in it about bowel cancer.

Yeah, yeah, keeping people informed etc - but the postage alone must have been $3 plus the cost of whatever was in the package (it was A4 and chockers and I reckon must have only made the 20mm thick rule by a cat's whisker) and the wage of the person who had to correlate it all and pack it.

But it was specifically addressed to him, so there is a system somewhere deciding who gets these packages.

My OH has no history of cancer, so why they picked him out I have no idea.

Wonder how many other people got these and how much this drained the coffers.

Sure, keep people informed etc, but I reckon I could think of a few less expensive ways to do it.

[polksaladallie]

I worked with a doctor in his forties, who was not one of those people who ignored symptoms, and from the time he got the first symptom to his death was 3 weeks.

[*crikey*mate*]

so why not just put notices up in doctor's surgeries and places like that? Chemists? I reckon this pack must have cost $5 (with the postage)

Why not just a 60 cent letter giving the short and sweet version and reminder? There's that much in this pack I doubt many people will actually read it all. (People don't even read the scrollers or long C&P's on CS LOL

I dunno, but there seems to be plenty of awareness around for health checks etc

to me it just seems like an awful lot of money to spend on just awareness iykwim - reckon it could have been better managed to reduce the cost and channel a bit of the money into the health department or something to actually help the people who are getting the treatment..

and even if people do get tested etc and need treatment - how long before they can actually get the treatment? Reckon they'd be better off spending $1 on awareness and the other $4 on shortening the waiting periods to fix what they're making everyone aware of!

[*crikey*mate*]

All people who have recently turned 50 are getting this mail Sheepie.

well they're two years late

[cherry*135]

Have you or your OH opened it yet? Was it just information or the bowel cancer test kit?

I have received a kit & returned the test,  but I can't remember getting a letter/info before that, may have though.

Finding out early one might have bowel cancer is a waste of Govt money?  I bet a person who received a kit and got a positive result and thus was able to be treated early wouldn't think so.

[*crikey*mate*]

Tell me what the difference is in women over 50ty receiving free breast screaning, and all Australians over 50ty receiving a free reminder and screening for the silent killer bowel cancer?

it's not the reminder I object to, it's the cost of that reminder - if they just want people to be aware, why not find a less expensive way to make them aware? Why not just do a mass letter box drop or even just a small letter that costs 60c to post, put notices up throughout the community etc

[yatpea]

I recently received 2 letters, one from the cancer council, the other from Guide Dogs of Australia.

Both of them contained carry bags, stickers, and address labels with my name and address printed on them, notepads and pens.

I have to wonder why spend money on sending these to me when the money would have been better used and kept for their own coffers.I do support the Guide Dogs from time to time, as I do the cancer council. Not on a regular basis, but when finances permit.

Again, money spent on putting my name and address on a couple of dozen labels for envelopes and the other items would have been better spent for their own use.

[cherry*135]

A test kit comes in the mail to a persons house. That person can complete the test, pop it in the mail in the prepaid envelopes. How simple & convenient is that?. No going to clinics, Dr's apt to do a test.

An excellent way of getting a lot of people tested for bowel cancer.

[**meep**]

info about the initial program (incl funding budget)

http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/national_register_public_health_research/29393

[sniper_patrol]

It doesn't matter what the government does they will be criticised.

It's a Test Kit. You do the test and return as instructed and they reply with results.

The alternative is everyone over the age of 50 all rocking up to their doctors to have a test done. Far more costly and far more taxing on the health system.

I think it's a great idea, a test you can do in the privacy of your own home.

Oh, and if you think the test kit is a PITA you're probably doing it wrong;-)

[*crikey*mate*]

Have you or your OH opened it yet? Was it just information or the bowel cancer test kit?

I have received a kit & returned the test,  but I can't remember getting a letter/info before that, may have though.

Finding out early one might have bowel cancer is a waste of Govt money?  I bet a person who received a kit and got a positive result and thus was able to be treated early wouldn't think so.

ironically he's actually in hospital atm., so no, he hasn't read it yet. I just got a notice in the mail about a parcel to collect, just assumed it was for me and went and collected it - saw it was this really thick thing from the Gov and had a moment of concern so ripped it open, still not realizing it wasn't addressed to me, and pulled out this cardboard box thing and a whole heap of other papers and saw what it was and then checked who it was for LOL