Doctors and Lodges

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 266, 8 November 1941, Page 6

Doctors and Lodges

WANGANUI, Nov. 7.

A decision to arrange a conference at an early date between doctors and lodges with a view to friendly societies retaining their identity with panel doctors, was made at a meeting of the Wanganui United Friendly Societies’ Council last night. It is understood that both parties may have proposals to offer. Thirteen lodges were represented at the meeting. One Wanganui lodge has already decided to discontinue its medical benefits levy of Ss a quarter, und until some arrangement is reached between friendly societies and the doctors the members of this lodige will pay the doctors in the ordinary way and claim from the .Social Security Fund for the State payment of 7s 6d a day visit. A proposal which has been made in some quarters, and is likely to figure in the negotiations, is that lodge panels bo retained and lodges pay the doctors on a concession basis to be arranged, as 3t present, lodges then presenting accounts for payment to the Social Security Department. This, it is suggested, would be mutually satisfactory, as the doctors would be assured of prompt and regular payment.