Last week I read ‘Weighing up bills or food' (The Weekend Sun, July 25) with concern, about the woman who had a doctor refuse to treat her nine-year-old daughter, due to an unpaid bill of $32.

I then read the help offered by political candidates just below the article.

The National candidate stated because of our economy, free visits for children under 13 was made possible. Why would a doctor turn away a patient under 13 if he was going to paid by the Government?

What the National Party candidate didn't know or confess is that free visits for children under 13 does not come into effect until July 2015.

Some comfort for the mother with a sick child, from the doctor: ‘Take her home, give her an aspirin and bring her back in July 2015' - if she's still alive.

Peter Dolden, Papamoa.