MEDICAL SERVICES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 August 1938, Page 6

MEDICAL SERVICES

PROVISIONS OF SECURITY BILL RELATIONS OF DOCTORS & PATIENTS. CONDITIONS OF HOSPITAL CARE. <By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The principal clauses of the national health section of the Social Security Bill provide for a complete universal general practitioner service. The range of this service is similar’ to that under the British scheme—that is to say, the services of a general practitioner other than those involving the' application of special skill and experience are to be available to all. A special section provides for maternity attention and maintenance in a maternity hospital for 14 days, and an extra payment to the doctor for his service and attention on those occasions. The Bill provides that medical benefits, pharmaceutical benefits, hospital benefits, and certain supplementary benefits will commence on April 1, 1939, or at the earliest possible subsequent date, determined by the Minister of Health. Every person over the age of 16 years, ordinarily resident in New Zealand, will be entitled to the health benefits. Every registered doctor in New Zealand is entitled to provide medical benefits if he indicates that he is prepared to comply with the terms and conditions set out by the' Minister after consulting the Medical Committee. Any doctor may. withdraw from participating in the scheme by giving three months’ notice to the Minister, or shorter notice if the- Minister approves Every person entitled to medical • benefits will have the right, from time to time, with the concurrence of the doctor concerned, to select the doctor whom he desires to treat him. Every chemist lawfully carrying on business, from time to time, will be entitled to supply the required medicine, drugs, materials and appliances if he indicates his willingness to comply with the terms and conditions fixed by the Minister. Hospital benefits cover medical and surgical treatment, nursing care and maintenance in any public or private hospital or other similar institution recognised as a hospital. They also include special clinical treatment to outpatients at public hospitals. All hospital benefits received at any public hos- ' pital will be entirely free of charge to the individual, except in those cases where he has recovered damages or compensation for the cost of hospital treatment. If the patient desires to be treated in a private hospital the Social Security Fund will pay towards the hospital expenses the same amount as is fixed for payment to hospital boards, and the balance of the cost will be charged to the patient. Special power is given to the Minister to make a grant instead of individual payments to meet the case of those hospitals which do not require payment of fees by their patients. Provision is made that after the commencement of the health benefits, all treatment and maintenance in a public mental hospital will be free of charge.