MINISTER’S PLEA

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21945, 13 February 1946, Page 7

MINISTER’S PLEA

MEDICAL SERVICES REMUNERATION ISSUE CLAIM ON GOVERNMENT (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Feb. 13. An appeal to members of the medical profession to accept the Government’s remuneration for services and to claim directly from the Government and not through the individual patient was made by the Minister of Health, Mr A. H. Nordmeyer, at a civic reception to the delegates to the New Zealand medical conference in the Town Hall last night. Subdued but ironical laughter was fairly general after some of the Minister's statements, which however, were made and received in good humour. "There is no doubt that there is agreement that the men in many branches of the profession could be rewarded only by an annual salary and the Government believes that a number of other men would rather be on a salary,” said Mr Nordmeyer. He had not noticed any. deterioration in those men on a salary just because they were being paid that way.

"But by far the greater majority of the medical men prefer to be rewarded by payment for each service actually rendered,” continued Mr Nordmeyer. Clapping followed this statement. State Favours Salary

"I want to say,” proceeded the Minister, “that, while the Government believes that a salary is best and that the less satisfactory way is by capitation, it is possible, if the Government and the profession got together, to agree on ‘fee-for-service’ as a satisfactory way of paying for service actually rendered and that the compromise in 1941, when the profession was given the right to claim from the patient and the patient could claim a refund, from the Government, has outlived its usefulness.

"At least half the general practitioners are already claiming direct from the Government,” said the Minister. “They accept 7s Cd in full settlement and are not putting the public to trouble nor putting the Health Department to the expense of £40,000 for a cumbersome system of payment." If others would adopt that procedure lie believed they would give greater satisfaction to the public and to the profession itself.