Wairarapa Times-Age TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1942. DOCTORS AND SOCIAL SECURITY.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 July 1942, Page 2

Wairarapa Times-Age TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1942. DOCTORS AND SOCIAL SECURITY.

Social Security medical benefits were being discussed in the House of Representatives recently ,a Government member (Mr Frost) contended that since so many doctors were accepting the scheme —i.e., accepting a fee of 7s (id per visit in full settlement and claiming it direct from the Social Security Department —compulsion should be brought to bear on their colleagues who were refusing to do likewise. . Some reasons appear, however, for believing that conditions of effective co-operation between the Government and the medical profession may develop without any resort to extreme action. The Minister of Health (Mr Nordmeyer) said, for example, that he knew the matter (of medical fees) was causing a great deal of heartburning in some areas, but added that: — It was only fair to point out, however, that some doctors not only were accepting the 7s 6d fee in full settlement, but were also claiming direct on the Social Security Fund for it. Almost half the amount, paid out was in direct claims, and he was hopeful that the number would increase. This rather suggests that the problem entailed is tending to solve itself and that matters may most wisely be left to take their own course. An additional reason, if it were needed, for refraining from violent or extreme action may be found in the fact that many doctors at present are working almost to the limits of endurance. In any event, the extension of general practitioner and other services is not by any means the only aspect of a national medical service on -which attention and effort should be concentrated. There is a very wide field, for instance, for beneficial and profitable enterprise in the development of preventive medicine. Medical knowledge and skill may be employed to far greater advantage in enabling people to remain healthy than in treating them when they have fallen into sickness and invalidity. 'Whatever may be done in other directions, measures to promote and maintain throughout the population the highest possible standards of health —a continuation at all stages of. life of the work that, is being done so well and ably by the Plunket Society—certainly should be taken in hand vigorously as soon as the war is over. A universal scheme directed to maintaining and raising standards of health would involve, amongst other things, the medical examination at reasonable intervals of every citizen, young or old. Apart from their broad and far-reaching purpose, these examinations would assist, very materially in the eradication of some of the deadliest and most insidious diseases now taking toll of the community.