DOCTOR' [?]ES

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 142, 18 June 1931, Page 10

DOCTOR' [?]ES

' (To the Editor.)

Sir, —I was pleased to read that the Civil servants have taken up the question of doctors' fees. All over the world there is a serious, dangerous, and growing dis* content over the difficulty of providing the necessaries of life for one's family. The result of the cut m wages, and the uni'enumenitive prices at which traders arc selling goods is that doctors are Yeceiviug, owing to the increased jmrchasiug power of money, an equivalent to' a large increase in remuneration.

Some years ago oiie paid 5s when visitingl a doctor, and when he came to you he received 7s (3d. fHo was then tinder the necessity of empioyiug-a groom and keeping two or more horses. Now a common charge is one guinea when one goes to his doctor! A sum' of money which the average citizen cannot make per day. No reasonable, citizen desires to Underpay the medical men, but their present charges are excessive.

I would suggest, in view of the position, that the doctors' union be, brought before the Arbitration Court in the ordinary way, nnd after hearing evidence on both sidea, the Court make an award. If the 8.M.A.----objects to this procedure it will clearly show that, while benefiting by the low prices of goods produced by arbitrated labour, and the competition of harassed traders, it is itself unwilling to submit to % fair tribunal.—l am, etc., A GUINEA A VISIT. ) (To tho Editor.) Sir, —There has been some reference in your columns in reference to the scale of medical fees, aud I would like to say that there is a great number that would appreciate a reduction in this direction. I would suggest to "Accountant"'that it is not only the medical man that has to wait a long period, for his fees, but in this i depressing period there are oilier professions, not to speak of many business people, that suffer in this way. Your correspondent has looked at it from an accountant's view, and I would suggest that he look at the, matter from a paying patient's perspective, when it will be seen that at the present time, when money is scarce, there is a great deal to bo said for the sufferer. lam of opinion, and (I think there are niany that will agree with me) that especially at the present time, and taking all into consideration, medical fees should be lowered, and it would be pleasing to See the medical profession taking . this humanitarian step at a time when it is unquestionably needed.-! ,am, etc., pEELTJDK