Money the sad fact about doctor visits

Sophie Marshall-Makaea is upset Lakes PrimeCare is not offering free after-hours care for 6 to 13-year-olds like her daughter Sariah, 6. Photo / Stephen Parker

Sophie Marshall-Makaea says she feels like a terrible mum for saying money is a factor on whether she takes her daughter to the doctors, but it is the sad reality.

The Rotorua mum of two said the decision that Lakes PrimeCare wouldn't offer free after-hours care for 6 to 13-year-olds would have an impact on whether she took her oldest, who is 6, to see a doctor after-hours.

She said while visits were now free with GPs during work hours, it wasn't always possible to see a doctor during that time. She said accidents happened any time and children often deteriorated so quickly that they needed to be seen out of hours.

The last time she took her daughter, Sariah, to Lakes PrimeCare it cost $39 - which she was "a bit upset" about.

"I feel really bad about it but I would probably hold off taking her to the doctors."

"It's slack and it's not fair on the kids or the parents who have to choose."