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START ON MARCH 1

DOCTORS’ SCHEME NO SPECIALIST WORK OUTPATIENT TREATMENT FIXEE SERVICE BEGINNING SUPPLY OF MEDICINES (Par Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Referring to the Social Security Medical Benefits Regulations gazetted last night, the Minister of Social Security, Mr. A. H. Nordmeyer said: ‘‘Before making any reference to these important regulations, I desire to make an announcement of special interest to the medical profession and the public generally. The Government recognises that this new method of paying the doctors may possibly place at a disadvantage those members of the profession serving in the forces and legislation will be presented to Parliament this session which will ensure that every general practitioner serving in the army, navy or air force will be guaranteed in the first year after he returns to practice an amount not less than that which may have been derived from the practice of his profession during the last complete year before his departure. This arrangement will ensure that no general practitioner serving in the forces on his return will suffer loss by being away from civilian practice and is one which will, I am sure, commend itself to the public as fair and reasonable in the circumstances. Distribution of Cost “These 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 the Dominion. Free hospital service, the provision of maternity benefits and the introduction of free mental hospital treatment have already given the public an indication of the advantages of social insurance. The burden has been removed from the shoulders of the individual patient, the cost of his treatment being spread over the community as a whole, instead of becoming his personal responsibility. "The general practitioner service now to be provided will extend further the pi’inciple of social insurance. While it will not free the individual from the whole cost of medical care—that will not be possible until the free specialist service is also available—l give the free family doctor service lo all who are in need of it. May I at this stage make an appeal to the public to co-operate with the profession in every possible; way. The doctors’ instructions should be carefully carried out,'unreasonable demands should not be made upon him, he should be consulted whenever possible at his surgery and he should not be expected to visit a home when a patient’s condition is such that the latter could quite safely and conveniently attend at the surgery. Except in cases of serious emergency, he is not to be summoned at night and when a visit is required at home, he should, if possible, be called early in the day. The observance of these simple provisions will ensure that the doctors’ skill and experience will be economically utilised. Advantages to Doctor “While the scheme will have many advantages to the sick, it will also be of great benefit to the profession. The payment which has been decided upon by the Government will be recognised, I think, as not merely adequate, but as generous. It is, of course, impossible to assess the value of service which doctors render to the community in terms of cash, but it is quite certain that under the scheme the pro-’ fession as a whole will not suffer financial loss. The scheme will free members of the profession from the worry of collecting bad debts, from the embarrassment of sending accounts to patients whom they know, in many cases, can ill afford to pay and from the difficulty of deciding how much in any particular case it xs fair to charge a patient. “I am confident that when the doctors operate the scheme fully, they will appreciate the immense advantages of the system over that which has prevailed in the past. Incidentally, I may mention that the doctors who are working under the maternity

provisions of the Act, whatever their original attitude to the scheme, are now enthusiastic in their praise of it and I 'venture to hope that the same experience will occur in connection with this new section of the Act. Isolated Areas

“It should be noted that while the regulations apply to most people in New Zealand, there are certain isolated areas where provision has been made in the Act for Ministers to make special arrangements. In these areas it will not be necessary to fill in any card as a contract will be entered into by the Health Department and a doctor to care for the people in those areas. I mention, in this connection, that where medical associations or similar bodies are in existence for the purpose of securing adequate medical treatment in these isolated places, it is desirable that they be continued in order that they may be available to co-operate with the Health Department for the carrying on of the service. No resolution to disband should be carried until it is certain that no good purpose can be served by continuing the organisation. “I also mention that it is proposed to begin the free out-patient service at the same time as the general practitioner service commences. It has always been regarded by the Government as an anomaly that persons inside a hospital receive free care, while those who attend as out-patients have been charged. This will be remedied, and arrangements will be entered into with the various hospital boards whereby out-patient treatment, so far as it covers the ordinary general practitioner care will be 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. Pharmaceutical Benefits

“I am also pleased to be able to intimate that the Government anticipates that the pharmaceutical benefits, that is the provision of free medicines and the necessary appliances, will be in operation by April 1. Regulations dealing with this matter are now being prepared, and I do not expect any difficulty in arranging for this service to begin on the date mentioned. “The benefits under the general practitioner scheme will be available from March 1 next. Cards entitling persons to make application for benefit are being provided and will be distributed to various post ofijees throughout the Dominion next week. Persons desiring to obtain cards may secure them at the local post offices or on application to the medical officer of health.

“While the provisions made in these regulations will ensure a greater degree of medical care to those in need of it, the Government believes that it will also result in a general improvement in the. health of the community. As the doctor will now be paid whether those under his care are ill or well, he will have an additional incentive to keep his patients in good health. The individual advice which he is able to give in the matter of diets and habits, which plays such a large part in determining the health of the community, should result in an all-round improvement. Realising that prevention is better than cure, I propose to, inaugurate shortly a nation-wide health campaign and lire details concerning it will be announced in due course.”

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/GISH19410221.2.48

Bibliographic details

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20486, 21 February 1941, Page 6

Word Count
1,204

START ON MARCH 1 Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20486, 21 February 1941, Page 6

START ON MARCH 1 Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20486, 21 February 1941, Page 6

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