PROVIDING MEDICAL BENEFITS

Southland Times, Issue 23992, 6 December 1939, Page 4

PROVIDING MEDICAL BENEFITS

GOVERNMENT’S ATTITUDE IN NEGOTIATIONS (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, December 5. The attitude of the Government in negotiations with medical practitioners and the delay caused to the inauguration of medical and pharmaceutical benefits through the lack of mutual agreement with the medical profession were referred to by the acting Minister of Health (the Hon. H. T. Armstrong) in a statement tonight. Mr Armstrong stated that the Government was considering introducing pharmaceutical services in advance of medical benefits. “When we place a formal offer of contract before doctors, chemists and others we must have reasonable expectation that the offer will be acceptable to the majority of those concerned,’’ said the Minister. “All this means extensive investigation and negotiation beforehand. I hardly need emphasize that it is the desire of the Government to operate the various benefits with the fullest possible co-operation on the part of doctors and others who today provide somewhat corresponding services as a matter of private practice. We are anxious to use the best of our existing agencies for the care and treatment of the sick.

“I know disappointment is expressed that the medical benefits—that is, the general practitioner service—have not yet been introduced,” continued Mr Armstrong. “However, it will be understood that it is a question of reaching a mutual agreement with the medical profession. I can only add that as far as we are concerned active steps are being taken to bring that about.”