Why Not Free Doctors Visits for All

Why Not Free Doctors Visits for All?

Help raise money for, George London's, Trust, free First Aid Centre, and Doctors.

My name is George London and I live in Marton. I am a volunteer shuttle driver for St John taking patients to Palmerston North and Wanganui Hospital. I have been a volunteer worker and fund raiser for 35 years, here in New Zealand, and when I lived in England. Some of the patients I take to hospital tell me how they can't afford to see their own doctor young and old.

I want to raise funds to set up a Free First Aid Centre, with a free Doctor for the people of Marton, or anyone thats needs help. I need funds to pay for the right premise, and the equipment, also funds for all legal costs and council consent, and any other costs. I want to start the idea of in Marton and then hopefully throughout the country.

Can you help me raise the money to get the Centre stated. If the government won't give us free doctors or free health care then maybe with your help I can. I already have volunteers that want to work with me on this project. Together we can make a change. Please give what you can.

It is good to see the National government acknowledging the important role that GPs play in keeping us healthy with the announcement in the 2014 budget that it will provide free doctors visits and waive prescription charges for children under 13 years from July 2015. But why stop there? Why not free doctors visits and prescriptions for everyone?

The same reasons that children need easy access to their GP are valid for everyone else. Illnesses are more easily treated in their early stages, with fewer long term complications. The risk of outbreaks of contagious diseases is reduced, as is the likelihood of illnesses progressing to the stage where is hospital treatment is needed.

Aside from the very important humanitarian aspect of eliminating unnecessary suffering, free doctors visits would result in less people using our overstretched Accident and Emergency departments because they can’t afford to see their GP. It would also free up beds within hospitals and staff to deal with urgent cases and reduce waiting lists.

If one were to be hard hearted about it and look purely at economic benefits, free doctors visits and free prescriptions would significantly improve the health of the population, which should lead to increased productivity at work and fewer sick days. Free doctors visits and prescriptions also negate the need for expensive health insurance, meaning extra money in people’s pockets to spend more productively.

Obviously the government knows all of this and that is why it has dipped its toe in the water and introduced free doctors visits for children. So what is the problem with providing free doctors visits and prescriptions for everyone, and throwing in free basic dental care while they are at it? After all, access to adequate health care is a basic human right, and whichever way you look at it the benefits outweigh the cost.

Distress over doctor's fee for mum

The mother of a sick baby appears to have been put off from seeking medical assistance for her child because she could not afford to pay a $35 doctor's consultation fee.

However the medical centre's manager says while he feels sorry for sick children whose parents can't afford to see a doctor, his hands are tied because of a lack of funding.

Hamilton parent Amanda contacted the Times because she was concerned about the ''sad scenario'' she recently witnessed in the waiting room of Radius Medical's clinic at Davies Corner in Hamilton.

Amanda said while she was waiting for her own appointment a woman came in and approached the receptionist, telling her she had a sick 10-month-old child who was coughing and vomiting and had diarrhoea.

The Maori woman in her mid to late 30s said she was from out of town.

''The receptionist gave her a casual patient form to fill in, and this must have prompted her to stop and think and ask if there was a charge for her 10-month-old to be seen. The receptionist told her yes.

''She just got up and left. I don't know what became of her.

''I have been kicking myself ever since that I didn't intervene. If I had been more alert and on to it, I would have jumped up and told them I would just pay for her. I felt really sorry for this woman - nobody should be put off going to the doctor's because they can't afford it right at that time.''

Amanda said before the woman left, the receptionist suggested she come back after 5.30pm.

''I rang later to check what the cost was for what she was asking for and it was $35. It's a lot of money for someone on a budget these days. I'm lucky I can afford that sort of thing, but not everyone can.

''It is really sad something like this can happen. It's a reflection of our society, I suppose. Care for children under six should be totally free, no matter if you are away from your home town or not.''

Last year more than half a million New Zealanders didn’t go to their doctor when they needed to because of the cost. A quarter of a million didn’t pick up a prescription for the same reason.

When people get sick their ability to pay shouldn’t be a barrier to getting good healthcare.

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