More clinics signing up to low fees deal

More than a quarter of New Zealanders are now registered with low fees doctors' clinics, Health Minister Peter Hodgson says.

More than a million people were now registered in clinics which had accepted additional funding in return for keeping their fees particularly low, he said.

Clinics that want the extra funding - on top of the Government's universal subsidy - must agree to keep fees at $15.50 or lower for adults, $10.50 or less for six to 17-year-olds and zero for under-six-year-olds.

Mr Hodgson said 284 practices around the country were now participating.

He encouraged people to visit their doctor to "maintain their health rather than waiting until they are sick".

- NZPA