MEDICAL SERVICES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 62, 16 March 1943, Page 6

MEDICAL SERVICES

COMPLAINTS IN NORTH. Whangarei, March 13. "People pay 5 per cent, of their incomes for a service that does not exist, and country residents are worse off for medical services than 50 years ago, when doctors would go out to calls. The position is getting worse,” said Mr. J. A. S. Mackay, chairman of the Whangarei County Council, today. The council received replies from the Ministers of Health and Social Security to representations made regarding inadequate medical services available to residents in a large country area. When Mr. Nordmeyer replied that as soon as circumstances permitted steps would be taken to rectify the position, the council suggested that as there appeared to be little prospect of immediate improvement, consideration should be given to a smaller Social Security charge being levied on country residents. "A patient in Whangarei requiring a doctor costs the Social Security Fund 7s 6d, a patient 20 miles away costs the fund £2 17s 6d," stated the Minister in reply. “Your suggestion, therefore, that the country residents should have their contributions diminished cannot, under any circumstances. be agreed to.” Mr. Mackay said country calls did not represent 1 per cent.’ ol tho.c made by doctors. The position was serious for rural dwellers, but apparently the department would not do anything.