Doctors’ fees
Sir, —I note the article concerning patients’ complaints about doctors’ fees (February 26). An Auckland woman was charged $3O last year for an ordinary consultation. When called this year about fees, the same doctor still appeared to charge $3O an adult patient. Dr Cooper, of the Medical Association, suggested that a doctor "is free to charge any fee he wishes, just like every other selfemployed person.” The chairman of the association, Dr Tony Baird, reportedly backed Dr Cooper’s comments. However, in a letter to “The Listener” last year (October 22), Dr Baird said: “I can assure the public that if there is any increase in their benefits ... the increase will be passed on in full, with a reduction in doctors’ fees.” I leave readers to draw their own conclusions about reliability of
the Medical Association’s "assurances.” I suggest that the medical profession has only itself to blame for public mistrust in it. — Yours, etc., CELIA GRIGG SOWMAN. March 1, 1989.
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Press, 4 March 1989, Page 20
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162Doctors’ fees Press, 4 March 1989, Page 20
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