Medical centre to be investigated after patient spots controversial sign on door
A Victorian medical clinic is set to be investigated after implementing a policy to charge patients more to see a female GP.
Myhealth at North Eltham in Melbourne created a sign that told patients that it would cost $7 more for a standard consultation with a female GP than what it costs to see a male.
The medical clinic has been accused of discrimination as a large percentage of women prefer to see female doctors, so they will be the ones receiving the extra fee.
According to The Age, the clinic pushed up the price for female GPs as “women’s issues take longer”.
Twitter user Maeve Marsden shared the sign on Twitter and wrote: “My friend goes to Eltham North Clinic in #Victoria and they’ve just instituted extra fees for female doctors because ‘women’s issues take longer’. Surely this is illegal ... if it’s not illegal, it’s still outrageously sexist”.
This is so fucked. My friend @TheMilkeWay goes to Eltham North Clinic in #Victoria and they’ve just instituted extra fees for female doctors because “women’s issues take longer.” Surely this is illegal? pic.twitter.com/Vwm0aafM1z
— Maeve Marsden (@maevemarsden) May 23, 2018
Twitter users were quick to share their frustration and disbelief of the pricing policy.
“It’s basically a gender tax and it’s discrimination,” one user wrote. “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.”
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has been informed of the situation and is reportedly calling for an investigation.
“The Minister is deeply concerned. Not only is this practice offensive, it is potentially discriminatory,” a spokeswoman for Mr Hunt said.
Victoria’s Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner, Kristen Hilton, described the behaviour of the clinic as unlawful.
“Under the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 it is against the law for doctors to treat someone unfavourably because of their gender,” she told The Guardian Australia.
“This could include charging someone more to see a doctor because they are female."
The clinic has not yet commented.