OWN SELECTION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 32, 8 February 1939, Page 13

OWN SELECTION.

MATERNITY DOCTOR. PROVISIONS EXPLAINED. GENERAL FORM OF BENEFITS. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) NEW PLYMOUTH, this day. Describing the provisions of the Bocial Security Act relating to the maternity benefit, the Minister of Health, the Hon. P. Fraser, in an address to the conference of hospital boards, pointed out that every woman was entitled to the services of the medical practitioner of her own selection. This provision was necessary ae some medical practitioners specialised in maternity work, while other general practitioner* did not do so.

The general form of the benefit* eonprised payments from the fund to hospitals, midwivei, maternity nurses and doctors affording care In maternity. Aβ far as public hospitals, midwives, maternity nurses and medical practitioners (excepting specialists) were concerned, the payment was intended to be irt full payment for services rendered, but In the case of private hospitals the amount was to be in full or partial satisfaction of the hospital's claim. It had been represented that the recognised obstetrical specialise would be permitted to charge an additional approved fee, but this was a point to be decided. Contract of Sertrtee. In respect to hospital care, a specific fee would be fl*ed in respect to the childbirth, and a daily rate for each day thereafter np to 14 days. A hospital receiving a patient after delivery would be entitled to the daily rate specified for maternity cases for any nneftpired portion of the 14 days. Any necessary treatment after this period would be the subject ot hospital benefit, and payment made from the fund at the rates flxed. Care at confinement in an unlicensed maternity home would not be regarded as hospital care. "Steps Will be taken to set out terms and conditions of a contract of service and the rates of payment," added th< Minister, "and doctors, nurses and hoe pital authorities will be invited t< signify their willingness to providt services accordingly, "The rate of payment for matermtj care afforded by hospital boards is i matter for future determination , , but r has already been indicated that it wil be on a basis approaching curren eattrfes in hospital institutions."