So angry !!!
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Category: Have A Baby?
Forum Name: First baby? Second or more?
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URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12438
Printed Date: 08 October 2025 at 3:52pm
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Topic: So angry !!!
Posted By: sunnyhoney
Subject: So angry !!!
Date Posted: 22 November 2007 at 1:01pm
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I just got charged for Joy's immunisations when they are supposed to be free!!!
I rang to book the appointment and they said I HAD to see the doctor first for a check. So even though the plunket nurse saw her last week the doctor had to check her again. So we go today, he listened to her chest and checked her hips - that's it (the plunket nurse does more than that). Then we got her first immunisations and then we get charged for seeing the doctor!! GRRR!!! How come the nurse couldn't do that??! Greedy b****y doctors. I got so mad... ------------- Mum to: Joy Emily 1.05am 27/09/07 7lb 3oz Austin Paul 12.47pm 18/04/10 10lb 8oz |
Replies:
Posted By: Bubbaloo
Date Posted: 22 November 2007 at 1:03pm
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When James used to get checked by the Dr first we didn't have to pay I would ring at make sure the didn't make a mistake I don't think there meant to charge you. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  Was danni-chick Mum to James My Angel 28/07/08 |
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 22 November 2007 at 1:04pm
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That's pretty sh*te, Spencer gets seen for free until he is 5 or 6 (can't remember which). Maybe you should have a look around for a better doc. ------------- 
 
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Posted By: Sarah Beth
Date Posted: 22 November 2007 at 1:04pm
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We had to take Jack for a 6 week check by the doctor when I was discharged by the midwife. From memory this was free though ------------- "> 
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Posted By: my2angels
Date Posted: 22 November 2007 at 1:06pm
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i thought all childrens visits are feel until they are about 5yrs
I know ive never paid for the kids |
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 22 November 2007 at 1:07pm
Some doctors claim that the subsidy doesn't cover their costs......yeah right -------------
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my2angels wrote:Posted By: sunnyhoney
Date Posted: 22 November 2007 at 1:09pm
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Yeah I have rung them to lay a complaint. I said I would be going in tomorrow to collect our records and that we would be changing medical centres. Joy gets charged for going to that doctor every other time too. So rude.
I feel ripped off especially when I know there are other places that don't charge for children under particular ages but to charge for a compulsory doctor visit just so I can get her "free" immunisations is just wrong. I am literally fuming! ------------- Mum to: Joy Emily 1.05am 27/09/07 7lb 3oz Austin Paul 12.47pm 18/04/10 10lb 8oz |
Posted By: sunnyhoney
Date Posted: 22 November 2007 at 1:11pm
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I agree, other centres seem to manage. If the subsidy is enough for most other centres then why not theirs...just makes me so mad. Like they don't make enough money from all the adults that visit. ------------- Mum to: Joy Emily 1.05am 27/09/07 7lb 3oz Austin Paul 12.47pm 18/04/10 10lb 8oz |
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 22 November 2007 at 1:12pm
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All our visits have been free, he has been for three well child check ups and a couple of other visits as well and haven't paid a penny. Only time i've paid was when i took him in on a saturday and then it was only $10.
I would definately look around for a doc that doesn't charge for kids. -------------
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Posted By: Bubbaloo
Date Posted: 22 November 2007 at 1:17pm
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I don't blame you for being mad I would be to.
My Dr charges us for non compulsory visits am going to change Dr but haven't done it yet cos I really like James' Dr but should get around to doing it. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> Was danni-chick Mum to James My Angel 28/07/08 |
Posted By: caraMel
Date Posted: 22 November 2007 at 1:26pm
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Its pretty common in Auckland for them to charge for children. Ours have always been between $10-$22.
However, that is the charge for medical visits, not the 6 week well child check which should be free, you definitely got ripped off there! Vaccinations should always be free, unless its non funded ones that you choose to get, like chicken pox. ------------- Mel, Mummy to E: 6, B: 4 and: 
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Posted By: Paws
Date Posted: 22 November 2007 at 1:41pm
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Doctors do have the right to charge over and above what they are subsidised for the medical visits. We are charged and it's $15 per visit. I personally wouldn't change doctors as she has been my doctor and my LMC right through and I lover her to bits and I'm happy to pay.
If you're not happy paying then yes changing medical centres is the best solution but make sure of the policies of the new centre! I am surprised at being charged for a 6 week check up though! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: fairsk8
Date Posted: 22 November 2007 at 1:55pm
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We pay $4 each visit for Xanda, but we never paid anything for our 6week check, and even I got checked by the doctor at that one.
I do not mind paying $4 for Xanda, as the last dr we were seeing, never charged us for visit but the prescriptions were always $3. This Dr charges us $4 and all prescriptions are free. ------------- http://www.bump-and-beyond.com/"> 
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Posted By: ooEvaoo
Date Posted: 22 November 2007 at 1:58pm
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Drs fees vary from clinic to clinic, however you shouldn't of had to pay for the 6 week check. Kahtrell's been to the doctors to check his ankle and when he got a chest infection. The first time we had to pay $5 but now his visits are free ------------- 
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Posted By: yummymummy
Date Posted: 22 November 2007 at 2:03pm
I pay $16 each time Gina sees a doc but I don't mind as our GP is really wonderful. And in Remuera 
From memory I took Gina in for her first visit and immz and we got charged too but can't remember how much. The immz since have been free as we only see the nurse. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: lottieandharry
Date Posted: 22 November 2007 at 2:28pm
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Yup we get charged $10 a visit here. Always have done. Most medical centres here in Rangiora seem to charge. You can hardly even get on anyones books here so to change doctors would be near impossible and they would probably charge the fees you have to pay when you are not a registered patient. In saying that our doctor is fantastic and I don't mind paying the $10 for someone I trust. I do agree it's not fair tho! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Sarah Beth
Date Posted: 22 November 2007 at 2:29pm
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The doctors visit is compulsory as is the well child check up that needs to be completed by the doctor. I know anything within the first 6 weeks was free and wonder if they have charged you because Joy is older than 6 weeks now - if so that is a bit off!!
I am with Paws though, I wont be changing to a free doctor as mine too rocks. She knows me and Jack and the service I get from them is worth the $15 I have to pay. I also think they have every right to charge it. I believe that they get a subsidy based on the socio-economic make up of the area or patients. High socio economic area = less money. ------------- ">
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Posted By: jack_&_charli
Date Posted: 22 November 2007 at 3:15pm
danni you should change to our dr...he's lovely!!! english accent
i've only paid for jack once, when he had a tymh something or other done on his ears and it was only $10. apart from that, the kids are always free ------------- http://www.alternatickers.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: sunnyhoney
Date Posted: 22 November 2007 at 3:21pm
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Yeah I wouldn't change doc's if the were good either. But our doc (and practice in general) is pretty average really, in my opinion. Nothing super outstanding.
The doctor returned my call this afternoon (I rang to complain and tell them we were changing) and rolled out all the usual arguments. I told him he wasn't saying anything to make me change my mind and then he layed on a big guilt trip about the quality of the doctors there and their services and if I go somewhere else I'm not going to get quality care etc etc...it's kinda laughable that he even went there...In the past they have mixed up records of mine with other patients, never follow up on visits or blood results (I always have to chase them), are always in a rush to get the patient out the door - I could go on for ages. I don't think I will get crap care if I go somewhere else but now I kinda feel stink coz he put the doubt in my head. ------------- Mum to: Joy Emily 1.05am 27/09/07 7lb 3oz Austin Paul 12.47pm 18/04/10 10lb 8oz |
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 22 November 2007 at 4:06pm
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I don't blame you for wanting to change, all the dr's visits for my boys are free, apart from the after hours ones ($8), but the chemist next door to the dr's has put a charge on all presciptions of $1 so I don't get the boys scripts there anymore as I feel that the say free child health for under 6 yo's so why should I pay (me saying this after she as just gone private with Andrew's operation)??? ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: Sarah Beth
Date Posted: 22 November 2007 at 4:13pm
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Funny you should mention that Becks, I got a script the other day and it was $4. I found it odd, got to the car and discovered they had a processing charge on there!!! They won't get any more of my business! ------------- ">
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Posted By: .Mel
Date Posted: 22 November 2007 at 4:20pm
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I don't pay for Cooper or Nyah until they turn 6. When Cooper had his 6wk jabs the doctor did them because the nurse wasn't there, and I wasn't charged, so I find that unfair and would definitely address it with them. ------------- Mr Mellow (16) Miss Attitude (8) Destructa Kid (3) 
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Posted By: james
Date Posted: 22 November 2007 at 4:39pm
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i didnt pay for james 6 week imms but our docs are great they are free till they are 18 ii so love our docs ------------- <a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://b4.lilypie.com/nLJ5p13.png" alt="Lilypie 4th Birthday Ticker" border="0" /></a> |
Posted By: MissCandice
Date Posted: 22 November 2007 at 4:56pm
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I normally pay $5 for the doctor if i need to take her but her imms are free?? ------------- ~ Mummy to a beautiful girl ~ |
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 22 November 2007 at 6:11pm
Is free down here in Kaiapoi, you could spend less than $10 commuting to a doc down here. Is only $24 for adults to see the doc as well now. And the docs are fab, very thorough and in no rush-------------
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Posted By: my2angels
Date Posted: 22 November 2007 at 6:36pm
| I have an excellent doctor. Ive put a couple of my friends onto her and they all travel from Riccarton and further just to see her, she is brillant and Ive never paid a cent for either of the kids, she follows up on everything and goes the extra mile and its only $24 for adults now too |
Posted By: megrac
Date Posted: 22 November 2007 at 6:49pm
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all doctors here are free for all children under 6 and that even inludes the white cross centre which is for afther hours and the kids percriptions (sp) are only $3 the PHO system is really good. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Jennz
Date Posted: 22 November 2007 at 9:14pm
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Our old Dr in Auckland charged $22- they were nothing fabulous but I rang around and every single Dr within a 10-15 minute journey of our house was around that anyway so I stayed with what I knew. We moved Down to Wellington and our local Dr was $14 and really good so was happy to pay that, but again when I rang around all the other Drs charged anyway! I don't know if its just the areas we chose to live but this "free" childcare for under 5's was very elusive for us!
Over here everything is free, I haven't paid a cent for anything healthwise since being here for any of the family- even her Epipens which cost over $100 each in NZ ------------- Jen, Charlotte 7 & Kate 3 
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Posted By: MummyFreckle
Date Posted: 23 November 2007 at 8:42am
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I am curious Jennz (and not trying to be controversial) but do you think the quality of the healthcare is as good. I found it to be pretty shocking when we lived in London, but then I have a fantastic GP here, so probably wasnt comparing apples with apples. (Although I had a hospital stay in London and it was horrific - but thats another story!!) I also worked in the healthcare arena over there and often wondered if - because there are so many people and its free whether the quality of care is as good. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 23 November 2007 at 9:12am
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Hey Simsam, I'm from the Uk I moved to NZ 3.5 yrs ago, and even though we have to pay out here I think the care is much better. You are lucky if you can see your gp the same week in the uk, out here I can see mine the same day. We have used the private system out here a bit as well as it doesn't seem to be that expensive to pay to see a specialist, we certainly couldn't do that in the uk (although we did have some limited medical cover with our employers).
Also the hospitals are manky, and after the way I saw my sister and my SIL get treated when they had babies I am really grateful I didn't have my children in the UK. The Uk certainly has a lot of problems with the health system, I remember sitting at the eye hospital for 8 hours waiting to get checked, and my niece recently went to A&E cos she was bleeding and didn't get seen for 3.5 hours (she is only 3) by which point the bleeding had stopped but now she is anemic (sp?). Just before we moved out here my mum broke her elbow and we spent 5 hours at A&E and then had to go to a different hospital because the radiologist had gone home 
It might be free (although scripts aren't) but it is pretty cruddy. -------------
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Posted By: Kels
Date Posted: 23 November 2007 at 4:05pm
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I pay really high fees for our GP and have paid for Alize since he was a newborn. I think it is not really an issue paying for kids as we spend money on all other items for them and some not really classed as needs and yet healthcare should be right at the top of the budget along with education etc. Just my two cents worth ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
Busy mum to Miss 15yrs, Miss 10yrs and Master 4yrs |
Posted By: Leish
Date Posted: 23 November 2007 at 8:37pm
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We pay $10 for Noah and while I was shocked at first, i'm happy to pay it. Nothing is free anymore. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: mummy_dee
Date Posted: 23 November 2007 at 8:56pm
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The only time we get charged for Ollie is if we take him to an A&E and even then its only $5.00. Our med centre recently dropped their price to $33.00 (was over $50.00) and the doctors are great. As it is we have health insurance so can claim it all back, so I'm more than happy to pay if I need to. ------------- Daphne Married Stuart: 19/03/05 Oliver: 9/06/06 Lilia due: 19/03/08 http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Kels
Date Posted: 23 November 2007 at 9:42pm
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Yeah I pay $10 as well Leish. I was in shock as my other 2 were free but like you I dont mind paying either as I pay for everything else he needs. I heart my GP service, they are open late everynight and open most stats and I can get appt always within an hour of ringing and if its urgent I can go and be seen straight away. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
Busy mum to Miss 15yrs, Miss 10yrs and Master 4yrs |
Posted By: Jennz
Date Posted: 24 November 2007 at 2:47am
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SimSam- Our Dr happens to be wonderful, the best Dr I've ever had but from what I have heard we are in the minority and very lucky with him. The practice we go to leaves morning appointments open and you call in to book them at 8am so if you really need to you can almost always get in on the day- but again I think we are in the minority in that respect.
As far as maternity care goes it is not nearly as good as NZ. They are overworked, noticabley understaffed and underfunded- I am so glad that I had my first in NZ and not here. In saying that whenever I needed anything I got it. We have had several ER experiences, 2 with Charlottes allergies, 1 when DH broke his shoulder and with my threatened MCs and they were fantastic each time. No different to NZ IMO. We have also seen paediatricians for Kate, an Allergy specialist for Charlotte, Untrasound staff during my pregnancy and a bone guy for DH and they were all just as good as any NZ specialists I have dealt with. I think we have been lucky though- we live in a really good area. It just seems that if you're paying so much for healthcare in NZ then it should be comparably better and from my experiences its better, but not as good as it should be. ------------- Jen, Charlotte 7 & Kate 3
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