Clayton Mitchell: Free health checks mooted for over 65s

Clayton Mitchell wants to encourage senior citizens to go to a GP in time.

Giving three free GP visits with the SuperGold card makes more than economic sense.

It will save lives and health dollars, but only if Parliament votes for a New Zealand First Bill in a few weeks' time.

The SuperGold Health Check Bill is simple as any good policy should be. It strengthens primary healthcare by giving SuperGold cardholders three free GP visits every year.

This is about encouraging senior citizens to go to a GP before a minor ailment becomes a major one.

Some 65,000 people live in the Tauranga electorate but in terms of those aged over 65, the target of our Bill, we have a higher proportion of over 65s than New Zealand in general - 18 per cent versus 13 per cent. This adds up to about 12,000 people.

Some groups are advocating the three free GP visits be means-tested but that goes against the grain of the hugely successful SuperGold Card. This was introduced by New Zealand First in 2007 so all New Zealanders turning 65 are recognised for a lifetime contribution to society.

Making three free GP visits universal is simpler than expensive bureaucrats sucking up money better invested in healthcare. Where better than to place three free GP visits for over 65s in the SuperGold Card.

While many in the cities appreciate SuperGold Card for public transport and discounts, those in provincial New Zealand have less access to its benefits.

Those in smaller places tend to store up their ailments as a job lot for the doctor.

Yet early diagnosis is a huge financial cost saving to our health system; we all know an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Three free GP visits need only prevent one per cent of senior citizens from being admitted to hospital for this policy to be cost neutral. Any over and above that is a bonus.

Early diagnosis and treatment offer far-reaching benefits in terms of social, emotional, physical and mental wellbeing, especially for the elderly, who can lose self-confidence if they spend an extended time in hospital.

For some senior citizens cost is often a reason for delaying a visit to their GP. Our health system needs to be designed so that we can proactively treat the elderly before they need hospitalisation. We don't want our seniors sitting at home feeling ill and too worried about the cost of the GP.

The fact is as we get older we become more susceptible to age-related issues, secondary complications or infections. A winter cough can easily lead to pneumonia and hospitalisation that in bad cases can suck up intensive care beds. This in turn has a cascade effect upon planned surgeries.

As well as direct benefits to seniors, it will help reduce the pressure on family members who are called upon to act as drivers, helpers and carers when their relatives are in hospital.

Take a flu jab because of three free GP visits. It will not only prevent winter ailments but will keep hospital beds free too and those over 65 do not want to become hospital patients.

New Zealand remains a caring society and if a senior citizen can be treated proactively by a GP instead of being admitted to hospital then everyone wins.

To learn more Google "SuperGold Health Check Bill 2013" and make sure your MP knows where you stand on it. To get their contact details either Google "contact your MP" or dial 04 817 9999.

-Clayton Mitchell is a New Zealand First Member of Parliament in Tauranga area.