Editorial: Free GP visits relief to families

Free doctors visits for kids is welcomed by families, schools and health workers. Photo/File

The big surprise of this years Budget is a crowd pleaser for families, and will also be welcomed by schools and health workers.

Free GP visits for children will be extended up to age 13 under a $90 million boost.

Under the scheme, all primary school-aged children can go to a doctor for free, any time of the day, as well as being entitled to free prescriptions. The changes, which will be offered through general practices from July 1, 2015, will benefit more than 400,000 more children nationwide.

It is easy to cynically view this as a carrot to a large and significant cross section of voters.

Yet for the many cash-strapped parents it will benefit, and their sick children, I doubt whether they will care whether it is a carrot or a significant demonstration of National venturing into social policy typically the domain of the Labour party.

For what will matter to them is not the political motive but the fact that they no longer have to worry about the expense of taking a child to the doctor. Schools are happy too. New Zealand Principals' Federation president Philip Harding said out-of-school factors were critically important to a child's education. One [of these factors] is their health, and the other one is nutrition and food. To see at least one area ... being tackled by the Budget is a positive sign.

Working parents will be relieved that after-hours visits are also included.

Investment in children is not just a social necessity but has economic benefits too. Putting up $90 million now saves in the long term. Children's wards in state hospitals are often under pressure from patients with chest and skin infections that can now be treated earlier at GP level.

In the longer term, creating a healthy child population leads to a healthy and productive adult population, also good for the economy.

Whether you see it as a cynical vote catcher, an economic investment, or social justice, the extension of free doctors visits and prescriptions to thousands of children is a great move. Add this to the extension of paid parental leave, and $857 million of new spend into schools and early childhood education and you have a pleasing package for families and families-to-be.