DOCTOR'S APPEAL

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 283, 29 November 1941, Page 6

DOCTOR'S APPEAL

AGAINST MILITARY SERVICE PUBLIC INTEREST PROVED (P.A.) INVERCARGILL, this day. The hearing of the appeal aeainst military service on behalf of Dr. A. E. McMillan, of Invercargill. was completed before the No. 6 Armed Forces Appeal Board yesterday. The appeal was adjourned sine die. In giving the decision of the board, the chairman, Mr. J. R. Bartholomew. S.M., said that Dr. McMillan was the only local medical practitioner giying service under that part of the general medical service scheme by which payment was on a per capita basis per annum. "A very large number of people desire to" avail themselves of this type of medical service, as is recorded by the evidence of the objectors."' said Mr. Bartholomew. "The appeals on the ground of public interest have been substantiated, and an order is accordingly made for an adjournment sine die."

When the hearing was continued from the previous day, Mr. G. J. Reed, representing the appellants, read the following telegram sent on Thursday to the Minister of Health: "Are those people who signed up under the original capitation scheme whereby a doctor undertakes to attend professionally to a man or his wife and family at the rate of 15/ a year eligible under the new agreement made between the doctors and Government?" Mr. Reed read the following reply: "Persons on the list of a doctor operating under the capitation scheme are not eligible for benefits under the recent general medical services scheme, except in cases of emergency. They may give due notice to the capitation doctor at the expiration of which they are eligible for the benefits of the new scheme. I understand other doctors in Invercargill are still charging their normal fee of 12/6, leaving the patient to find 5/ a consultation above the amount allowed under the fee for service scheme." i