Test fee defended

The blood collection fee has been introduced at Coast to Coast Mangawhai, Maungatūroto and Waipū. Coast to Coast Health Care is defending its decision to charge a collection fee for its blood testing services, saying the fee is needed to ensure the service can continue. The rural healthcare provider, which operates clinics across North Auckland, Kaipara and Bream Bay, introduced a $10 blood collection fee for enrolled patients and $20 for unenrolled visitors at its Mangawhai, Maungatūroto and Waipū clinics at the start of the month. Patients were informed of the new fee at the clinic or via Ma...