Growing uptake by GPs for 'zero fees'

Practices across the country have signed up, and though a handful in Auckland have not, others in the city have put aside reservations to join. Photo / Thinkstock

GPs are signing up to a "zero fees" scheme for children under 13, including one practice that previously snubbed a similar programme as "vote buying".

Practices across the country have signed up, and though a handful in Auckland have not, others in the city have put aside reservations to join.

A Herald survey of the 25 practices in the Auckland Primary Health Organisation (PHO), which spreads across central suburbs such as Avondale, Mt Eden, Waiheke and Three Kings, found only one had opted out.

Meadowbank Medical Centre offers free visits for those under 6 only, a receptionist said. Management did not return a request for comment yesterday.

Since the start of the month, children under the age of 13 have been eligible for free general practice visits and prescriptions.

The $90 million programme was announced as part of last year's Budget.

Previously, free visits were only offered to children under 6.

Those that have signed up to the expanded scheme include Richmond Road Medical Centre.

In April, the Herald reported the Grey Lynn practice was one of only 11 in the country that had not signed up for the scheme for under 6s.

At the time, Dr James Beetham criticised the use of the word "free" as propaganda and a vote-buying tactic.

Yesterday, he said the practice had reluctantly signed up and there was no charge for children under 13.

He said families had not minded paying the $18 fee, because of the quality of service provided.

"We have got to the stage now where we feel we just have to not charge for under 13s ... actually in the short-term we will be better off if we don't charge," said Dr Beetham.

"But one of the problems is medical inflation is going up significantly faster than general inflation.

"So probably in two to three years' time, we will be losing money hand over fist," he said.

Of the 34 practices in wider Auckland not involved, nine had indicated they would join shortly.