Doctors cost more in Bay of Plenty

Many western Bay of Plenty people are paying more to visit doctors than they would if they lived elsewhere.

A Consumers' Institute survey of more than 800 practices around the country has found that many Bay of Plenty GPs charge more than the national average.

Local doctors argue it is more expensive to run a practice in Tauranga because of high real estate prices and overheads and say the higher prices usually mean more services are available.

Bay of Plenty was the third-most-expensive health board region behind Capital and Coast and Southland when comparing the average cost for a casual visit for a patient aged 18 to 64.

The national average was $41.65, but in the Bay of Plenty it was $45.82.

For enrolled patients aged 18 to 64 without a community services card, the national average price was $45.76.

But 15 of the 23 Western Bay practices which responded charged more.

Fifth Avenue GP and Western Bay Primary Health Organisation provider spokesman Dr John Gemming said prices in the Bay depended on the location of the practice and what range and level of services were offered.

"So comparing apples with apples is quite difficult."

Dr Gemming said Tauranga was becoming "like a mini-Auckland" and it was expensive to run a business in the city.

Ministry of Health Deputy Director-General Dr Colin Feek said the average fee levels around New Zealand were in line with expectations and had not increased significantly in the past year.

- NZPA