[nippa&pippa]

My baby have been refer for hearing test, as I did requested for before his birth, by my midwife. Since then, he had two failed hearing tests with last one taken yesterday. I have been asked to return back next month for another tests. If fail again, he will be see by ENT surgeon looking into having surgery to drain his ears to get fluid out. He will then have another hearing test before they could decide on whether he got deafness or not.
My questions is as he was referred by my midwife for a hearing test in the first place. Will be any cost involve or will be free because it was done at public hospital (christchurch)? I am not sure on how the health system work?
I need to be prepare for bills if there is any!!
Thanks!

[benandclare]

Our understanding is that once you're past the primary gatekeeper, so to speak, doctor or as in your case Midwife then all medical costs are covered.

[nippa&pippa]

Our understanding is that once you're past the primary gatekeeper, so to speak, doctor or as in your case Midwife then all medical costs are covered.

Phew! I hope so.

My OH and I agreed after discussed together last night aware that he need treatments/surgery mean that we will prepare to pay for it if we ever receive the bills.

[holland]

Hope everything goes ok Sophia...thinking of you xx

[jubjub]

Our ENT appointment was free in the public system (would have been $150+ to go private) so you are fine!

[kanatakiwi]

OH has just been through a battery of tests, treatments and hospital visits to ENT specialists, all through the public system, originally referred by his GP, and it hasn't cost a cent. And the appointments came through in about a month or two, despite the fact we were told the wait would be six months.

so.......I think you should be fine.

[snailandthewhale]

Should all be free and just to reassure you Sophia, my youngest failed all her hearing tests as a baby, they thought it might be glue ear and she had the surgery ( myringotomy and grommets ) at about 15 months. She was fine afterwards and was discharged from ENT a year later, no probs with her hearing since.
K

[nippa&pippa]

Thanks to everyone for informations and reassures. :cheers