Circular To Doctors

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32302, 21 May 1970, Page 22

Circular To Doctors

(N Z. Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May 20.

The Department of Health this week sent a letter to New Zealand doctors overseas to in-form-them of improvements in New Zealand hospital salaries, private practice and health benefits.

The letter lists the main changes over the last two to three years and gives the pre-

sent rates and conditions and the extent of assistance given towards the cost of fares and travel expenses back to New Zealand.

The period of qualification as a prerequisite for specialist status has been reduced from 10 years to eight, and the scale for specialists, previously with progression, depending on decisions of a grading committee, has been replaced by a single scale of 10 steps, with three additional steps for special professional merit or special responsibilities. From January, 1969, there

was an increase of about 50 per cent in benefits payable for maternity medical services. In addition, specialists providing services in rela-

tion to maternity may charge the patient over and above the amount of the maternity benefit This right was previously limited to obstetric specialists. Recently measures had been introduced by the Government as inducements to doctors in rural areas throughout New Zealand, the letter said. Young doctors were eligible to cash grants after four years continuous hospital board service and after a further two years in a designated rural area. Rural practice bonuses allow 10 per cent of the medical benefit payable in respect of general medical services, 25 per cent rural mileage, a 50 per cent subsidy towards the salary of a registered nurse and a 50 per cent subsidy for the employment of a locum tenens. New Zealand doctors wishing to return from the United Kingdom to enter private practice might be eligible for help with the cost of fares if the practice they are going to is in a designated rural area. Doctors might also be sponsored to New Zealand under the subsidy scheme. New Zealand doctors recruited for positions with hospital boards or the Government, while overseas, were normally eligible for assistance, the letter said. The letter was sent to some 990 doctors on the New Zealand Medical Register who are at present overseas, and to overseas trade and diplomatic posts.

350,000 Meals.—More than 350,000 patrons have eaten at the New Zealand Meat Board’s restaurant since Expo 70 opened in Osaka on March 13, it was announced in Wellington yesterday.—(P.A.).