And worse for post op ward experience. No family to bring food? You won't be happy. And, according to my Chinese expat friends, even seeking recommendations from friends can incur the expectation of a payoff or several. Want that specialist? Pay to get referral from your gp.

If this is maligning the system I'd love to know. They said faced with excess costs to go private in Oz for a condition or fly home and get treated in China, they'd stay here. The net cost might well be similar.