DOCTORS’ FEES

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27639, 21 April 1955, Page 14

DOCTORS’ FEES

Social Security Fund Repayments OPPOSITION MEMBERS COMPLAIN (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 20. It was time the Government faced the issue of doctors charging more for their services than the patient could recover from the Social Security Fund, said Mr P. G. Connolly (Opposition, Dunedin Central) in the House of Representatives today, speaking to a written reply of the Minister of Health (Mr J. R. Hanan).

Mr Hanan said it was known that some doctors were charging more tor their services than the patient might recover from the Social Security Fund, bu ‘his had always been the r . se. Fi - the time of their inception in 19... medical benefits had been based on the principle of part payment by the patient.

“The amount payable from the Social Security Fund for an ordinary consultation has been limited to 7s 6d throughout the years, notwithstanding that the doctor’s charges may exceed that amount,” Mr Hanan said. “Consideration has not been given to departing from the principle that has remained in operation since medical benefits were introduced.”

“Doctors’ costs have gone up along with everything else,” Mr Connolly said. “It is time the Government either decided on the maximum fees to be charged or increased the present 7s 6d payable by the Social Security Department.” Mr W. A. Hudson (Opposition, Mornington) said he knew of no doctor -charging only 7s 6d a consults* s or<. In Dunedin a general practiticn body had a scale of charges of 10s ‘(id for a sugery visit, 12s 6d for a home visit, and £1 for a night or week-end call, and there was some talk of increasing these charges. "This is imposifig undue hardship social security beneficiaries and mothers of young children. The scheme was designed to give a free medical service, and something should be done to investigate these charges,” he Ud.