Medical centre slammed for charging more to see female doctors
A Victorian medical clinic is under fire over a policy that allegedly charges patients more to see a female GP.
A local patient by the name of Laura recently visited Myhealth Medical Centre at North Eltham, in Melbourne’s northeast, only to discover a sign stuck up on the wall informing patients that a visit to a female GP will set them back more than a male GP.
Patients are charged an extra $7 to see a female GP for a standard or extended consultation.
The image was shared on Twitter along with the explanation given to the patient as to why female GP’s cost more to see.
“They’ve just instituted extra fees for female doctors because ‘women’s issues take longer’,” the post read.
“Surely this is illegal … if it’s not illegal, it’s still outrageously sexist”.
“It’s basically a gender tax and it’s discrimination,” another wrote in response to the image.
“They’re reducing access to healthcare by increasing the price based on the gender of the physician. I’d contact the medical licensing board about this and/or make a human rights complaint.”
A spokeswoman for Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt told Yahoo7 News they have referred the matter to Victoria’s Health complaints Commissioner for an urgent investigation.
“The Minister is deeply concerned,” the spokeswoman said.
“Not only is this practice offensive, it is potentially discriminatory.”
Myhealth at North Eltham declined to respond when contacted by Yahoo7 News for comment.
