COST OF SICKNESS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 126, 21 February 1941, Page 8

COST OF SICKNESS

Advantages Of Social Insurance Stressed

DOCTORS IN FORCES

Statement By Minister Of

Health

"The general practitioner service now to he provided will extend still further the principle of social insurance,” said the Minister oi Health, Mr. Nordmeyer, when referring last evening to the Social Security Medical Benefits Regulations, 1941, gazetted that day. “Though it will not free the individual from the whole cost ol medical care—that will not be possible till a free specialist service is also available—it will give a tree family doctor service to all who are in need of it.”

Mr. Nordmeyer first 'aid that the Government recognizes that this new method of paying doctors might possibly place at. a disadvantage those members of the profession serving with His Majesty's Forces, and legislation would be presented to Parliament this session which would ensure that every general practitioner serving with the Army, Navy or Air Force would be guaranteed in the first year after he returned to practise an amount no less than that which he derived from Ihe practise of his profession during the last complete year before his departure. This arrangement would ensure that no general practitioner serving with the Forces would ou bis return stiffer any loss by being away from his civilian practice, and was one which would, he was sure, commend itself to the public as fair and reasonable in the circumstances. Distribution of Burden. "The regulations give effect to the Government’s desire to distribute more equitably the cost of sickness—an aim which has been endorsed in no uncertain manner by the people of this Dominion,” said the Minister. “The free hospital service, provision of maternity benefits and Hie introduction of free mental hospital treatment have already given the public an indication of the advantages of social insurance. The burden is removed from the shoulders ol the individual patient, the cost of his treatment being spread over the community. “May I at this stage make an appeal to the public to co-operate with the medical profession in every possible way. The doctor’s instructions should be carefully carried out. Unreasonable demands should not be made upon him. He should be consulted whenever possible at his surgery and should not be expected to visit the home when the patient’s condition is such that the latter could quite safely and conveniently attend at the surgery. Except in cases of serious emergency he should not be summoned at night, and when a visit is required at the home he should, if possible, be called early in the day. Observance of these simple provisions will ensure that the doctor’s skill and experience is economically utilized. Benefit to Profession; "While the scheme will have many advantages to the sick it will also be of great benefit to the medical profession. The payment which has been decided upon by the Government will be recognized, 1 think, as not merely adequate, but as generous. It is, of course, impossible to assess the value of the service which doctors render to the community in terms of cash, but it is quite certain that under this scheme the medical profession as a whole will not suffer any financial loss. “The scheme will free the members of the profession from the worry of collecting bad debts, from embarrassment of sending accounts to patients whom they know in many eases can ill afford to pay. and from the difficulty of deciding how much in any particular case it: is fair to charge the patient. I am confident, that when the doctors operate the scheme fully they will appreciate the immence advantages of this system over that _ which has prevailed in the past. Incidentally, I may mention that doctors who are working under the maternity provisions of the Social Security Act. whatever their original attitude to the scheme, are now enthusiastic in their praise of it, and 1 venture to hope that, the same experience will occur in connexion with this section of the Act. "It should la; noted that though these regulations will apply to most people in New Zealand, there will be certain isolated areas where provision lias been made in the Act for the Minister to make special arrangements. In these areas it will not be necessary to till .in any card, as a contract will be entered into by the Health Department and the doctor to care for the l>eo|)le in those areas. Where medical associations or similar bodies are iu existence for the purpose of securing adequate medical care in these isolated places, it is desirable that they should lie continued so that they may be available to co-operate with the Health Department for the carrying ou of this service. No resolution to disband should be carried till it. is certain that no good purpose can be served by continuing the organization in question. Outpatient Service. "It i.s proposed to begin a free outpatient service at the same time as the general practitionei service commences." said the Min Isler. “Il lias been regarded by the Government as an anouittl, that persons inside the hospital receive free care while those who attend as outpatients have been charged. This will be remedied, and arrangements will be entered into with tlie various hospital boards whereby outpatient treatment. so far as it covers ordinary general practitioner care, will bi available.

“It is hoped that certain other services rendered to out-patients will be made free also, and I shall be making a fuller announcement concerning this

in the near future. I am also pleased Io be able to intimate that the Government expects that the I’harmaceu Ileal Benelits, that is. the provision of free medicines and necessary appliances. will be in operation by April 1 Regulations dealing with this matter are now lieing prepared, ami I do not expect any difficulty in arranging for this service to be begun on the date mentioned. "Benelits under this general practitioner scheme will be available from March 1 next. Gards entitling persons to make application for benefit are being printed, and will be distributed to tlie various post offices throughout the Dominion next week. Persons desiring to obtain these may secure the number they desire tit their local post offices or on application to the Medical Officer of Health. "Though the provisions made in the regulations will ensure a greater degree of medical care Io those in need of it. the Government believes that it

will also result in a general improvement in the health of tlie community." concluded Mr. Nordmoyer. "As the doctor will now be paid whether those under his care are ill or well, lie will have tin additional responsibility to keep ids patients in good health. Tlie individual advice which he will tie able lo give in the matter of diet and habits. which play such a large part in determining the health of tlie community, should result in an all-round improvement. Realizing that prevention is better than cure. I propose to inaugurate shortly ti nation-wide health campaign, ami details concerning this will be announced in due course." ■