Wonderful words Mr Phil Cammish the CEO for Bay of Plenty District Health Board wrote in
the Weekend Sun July 19. From reading all
that corporate jargon he has written, it's left me with the idea that things aren't going to get better, probably worse, while we have continuing escalating cost of medical fees, and longer wait for eye surgery and other operations I suppose.
At the age of 65, most of us were priced out of the medical insurance schemes, and not one government has come up with a plan to help the elderly of this nation who cannot afford medical insurance now. Mr Cammish explained nothing in his article, other than what was already known.The juggling of the points dystem, is making it a ‘wheel of fortune' chance; either we win,
pay, or suffer.
The application form for public help with surgery is just a basic bit of paper, not asking all of the relevant questions that might help one with the cost.
How is it that the surgeon hands the patient the form, then receives it back so to feed it in a computer for the BOPHB to review.
The same surgeon will notify you of the board's decision.
If the patient has failed to acquire the amount of points for free
surgery, the surgeon will probably say that with cash payment the operation can be carried out within a few days.
Patients would feel more comfortable, and it would be more appropriate and fair, if the form filling, plus the review, was done directly on a patient and BOPHB theme, then patients may not think the surgeons who suggest paying have a vested interest.

Ray Jones, Otumoetai