(1)   How many Medicare services were provided per capita during (a) 2002-2003 and (b) 2003-2004 in (i) New South Wales and (ii) the electoral division of Fowler.

(2)   How many Medicare services were provided per capita during (a) 2002-2003 and (b) 2003-2004 in the postcode area (i) 2163, (ii) 2165, (iii) 2166, (iv) 2168, (v) 2170, (vi) 2176, (vii) 2177.

Medicare bulk billing and related statistics by electoral division are available on a calendar year basis.

The smallest geographical area for which the department routinely produces statistics is by electoral division. The postcodes you have nominated are contained within or overlap the electorates of Fowler, Blaxland, Hughes, Prospect and Werriwa. The requested statistics cover each of these electorates.

(1)   and (2) The number of Medicare services provided per capita in 2002, 2003 and 2004 in (i) New South Wales, (ii) the electoral division of Fowler and (iii) other relevant electorates, is as follows:

MEDICARE - TOTAL SERVICES PROVIDED PER CAPITA 2002, 2003 AND 2004
State/Electorate	2002	2003	2004
New South Wales	11.9	11.8	12.2
Fowler	13.1	13.2	13.7
Blaxland	11.1	11.2	11.4
Hughes	6.5	6.4	6.5
Prospect	14.5	14.6	16.1
Werriwa	7.7	7.7	7.8

Notes to the Statistics The statistics relate to services that were rendered on a ‘fee-for-service’ basis for which benefits were processed by the Health Insurance Commission in 2002, 2003 and 2004. Since the statistics sought relate to ‘services provided in …’ the statistics were compiled from Medicare data by servicing provider postcode. Medicare statistics by electorate published on the Department of Health and Ageing web site were compiled from patient enrolment postcode data. In compiling the statistics, where a postcode overlapped electoral boundaries, the data were allocated to electorate using a concordance file derived from population census data. This can result in some data being erroneously allocated to an adjoining electorate. Data have been excluded if postcodes were not present on the concordance file. Caution should be exercised in interpreting Medicare statistics by region of provider. Electorates containing major hospitals and health facilities and electorates that encompass major regional centres will have higher rates of service provision. Services per capita statistics were compiled using ABS population estimates at 30 June of the respective years. Since ABS population estimates by electorate are not yet available for 2004, the per capita estimates for 2004 were based on population estimates for 2003.