DOCTORS' FEES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21130, 12 March 1932, Page 14

DOCTORS' FEES.

Sir, —Now that the medical conference is assembled in Auckland it would seem there is good opportunity for such a gathering to contemplate whether the time is not overdue for a reduction in their professional fees. The community has had to Accept one 10 per cent, cut and faces another. Many have suffered up to a 100 per cent, cut in their income, yet the doctor still charges his 10s 6d to all. In this it is admitted he is in the ill company of other professions, as for instance the lawyers and the dentists, and again ye know that his fees are often unpaid, but then is not the doctor's profession regarded on a higher than ordinary moral rating?. His is a service not solely measurable by the money standard and it would be no more than fitting were we to find the doctors the first to lower their fees in response to the lowered income of the general populace. This would probably not entail any real sacrifice since in many case 6 people who now, often to their disadvantage, refrain from seeking medical advice would bo more induced to do so. But to the doctors the chief call should be to be worthy of their profession and of themselves. Everybody has to accept less cash for services to-day and it is up to the doctors, so pre-eminently and honourably servants of the 2 jet, plc, to fall into line—if they will to lend the way in the reduction of professional fees. Fraternitik.