Doctors’ Fees

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30653, 20 January 1965, Page 14

Doctors’ Fees

Sir,—l notice there is no protest against the Whangarei doctors’ increasing their fees. If some union tried to dictate terms the whole country would be up in arms. I admit doctors work hard and do a good service but they are well paid for their labours. The spokesman of the group sounds very defiant. He is correct when he says that visits used to be 10s 6d, but the point he misses is, that before social security, the old-fashioned doctor seldom got paid at all. Why is it that a group like this can brush people aside and act as it feels fit.—Yours, etc., PATIENT. January 19, 1965.

Sir, —While believing the medical profession is as entitled as other workers to demand more monetary return for less service, I feel some satisfactory provision should be made for those for whom any further increase means a complete -loss of medical attention. One such case is where a married couple is living on a small superannuation belonging to one partner, as the other does not qualify in the age category for any benefit. One partner, as a superannuitant, pays only the 7s 6d, while the other, who is without any income, pays the full fee. Any increase automatically means a cessation of medical attention. I suggest that in cases where any chronic conditions are involved, such as diabetes, arthritis, asthma, etc., that the patient should receive a Government permit to get the usual prescriptions as required. It seems so dreadful that in this enlightened day, people should have to suffer pain for lack of money.—Yours, etc., WORTH A TRY. January 19, 1965.