MEDICAL BENEFITS

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21358, 28 February 1941, Page 6

MEDICAL BENEFITS

POSITION IN WAIKATO ACCORD WITH OTHER CENTRES In a telephoned interview this afternoon, Dr. S. H. Hay, of Rotorua, president of the .South Auckland branch of the 8.M.A., said that a meeting of medical men was held at Hamilton on Wednesday evening and the meeting was unanimous in agreeing not to accept the new con- | ditions as outlined by the Minister of Health. The whole position woulcf be considered from time to time by the South Auckland branch, but at present it could be made known that there was no intention of accepting the conditions laid down. Dr. Hay added that the scheme was entirely voluntary, as between medical man and patient, and that the former was not breaking any law by refusing to come into the scheme. He added that some little time ago it had been stated that the medical profession had held out against the maternity benefits scheme and then had “almost tumbled over themselves to get in.” That, he said, was only a half-truth, for the first refusal was against a totally different scheme which was altered to incorporate the views of the B.M.A. executive, and then the medical practitioners had individually joined up willingly. Benefits Cards A supply of cards in connection with the applications for participation in the State’s medical benefits scheme has now reached the Hamilton office of the Department of Health, and may be obtained on application. OUT-PATIENT WORK MANY SERVICES FREE (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Friday The free services to out-patients at public hospitals, which will be available from tomorrow, were outlined by the Minister of Health, the Hon. A. H. Nordmeyer, today. Four services are not to be included in the meantime. The services which will be free include all general medical and surgical services, consultation and treatment, which is at present available; specialist medical and surgical services where already provided; Xray treatment, radium treatment, endothermy, ultra-violet and infra-red ray treatment, electro-cardiographic work, massage and physio-therapy. The services excluded are dental treatment, drugs, medicines and appliances, X-ray diagnostic services and laboratory services. The Minister said that these services would be brou'nt in as supplementary benefits later.