National Health Insurance

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 22, 21 October 1937, Page 13

National Health Insurance

Sir, —I see in to-day’s “Dominion” that Mr. W. Cavanagh has repeated the statement that panel patients in England have to wait until private patients haye been seen; thqt paying patients are given an unfair preference. Sir H. Brackenbury, who, as all medical men are aware, knows more of the working of the panel system.tljan anyone else, has replied that the charge is untrue. I myself have practised as a panel doctor for many years in both town and country practice. I have never known of such a thing happening either in my own or any other doctor’s practice. The charge is, as Sir H. Brackenbury says, untrue, and it is an unjustifiable and unfounded slander on the medical profession.—l am, etc., K. E. CROMPTON, M. 8., B.Chir. (Cantab J. Havelock North, October 19. J Sir, —Your correspondent, W. Cavanagh, is like a good many other people who, when young, neglect to make any provision for sickness for self or family. Your correspondent says the average person cannot budget against doctors’ bills, whatever his income. Provision for doctors’ bills could be made by joining a friendly society and for the modest sum of £1 per quarter and 7/6 for hospital fees, a member is entitled to doctor, chemist and free hospital for himself, wife and children up to 16 years, in addition to sick pay. I joined a lodge over 50 years ago and during that time have received every kindness and attention from lodge doctors. Nothing annoys me more than people slinging mud at the doctor. As far as health insurance is concerned, I should like to make all wageearners join a lodge or some scheme to provide help in sickness, but many will not even pay a small sum for hospital maintenance. Whatever form health insurance may take, everyone should pay his share of the ever-increasing hospital up-keep and relieve the ratepayers of some of the burden. —I am, etc., 1.0.0. F. Hatuma, October 19.