Forum Topic

Prescription charges

Is it just me being a moany git or are we really having the p**s taken out of us?BBC Website.Prescription charges drop to £5  Prescription charges will be abolished by 2011 The cost of NHS prescriptions in Scotland has been cut by almost £2. The reduction, from £6.85 to £5, is the first of several price drops, which will result in free prescriptions for all in 2011. Last December, the Scottish Government announced it would set aside £97m to abolish prescription charges. Once the charges have gone, the policy is expected to cost £57m a year. More than 90% of prescriptions are already dispensed for free. In December, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon told MSPs the prescription charges were a "tax on ill health". Labour expressed reservations about the move. There will be further £1 cuts for the next two years before the final abolition of the charge in Scotland. Prescriptions became free in Wales last year. 'Competing priorities' The SNP manifesto at last year's Scottish Parliament elections promised to "immediately abolish" prescription charges for people with chronic conditions, cancer and for those in full-time education or training. The cost of pre-payment certificates will also be cut over the same timescale as prescription charges, coming down at first from £98.70 to £48, then down to £38 and finally £28, before they are ended. Under current exemption rules, about half the population qualifies for free prescriptions and about 92% of items dispensed in Scotland are given to patients free of charge. Ms Sturgeon said: "That this is all taking place less than a year after the new Scottish Government came to power underlines the fast pace of delivery and the fact that this is a government of action." Conservative health spokeswoman Mary Scanlon said the reduction in the cost of the pre-payment certificate would improve healthcare and lead to better patient compliance. However, she added: "We do have an issue with supporting free prescriptions for people who can afford to pay. "As we all know there are many competing priorities for the allocation of resources in the NHS and we would question the giving of free prescriptions to all." E-mail this to a friend   Printable version  Bookmark with:

Kevin Farnan ● 6325d4 Comments

I'm not sure that I made the point that Scotland and Wales have chosen to spend money on free presciptions, hence less has gone to hospitals to cut waiting lists, I don't think health tourism or anything else has anything to do with it. They spend the money where they choose to.

Vanessa Smith ● 6321d

The decision of the Scots and Welsh to cut the cost of prescription charges is an example of devolution. They get money from Westminster, and if they spend more on prescriptions it leaves less for other things. This is no different than the position of free travel in London. For many years now the over 60's have had free travel on buses, tubes and trains. Free travel has been introduced in the rest of the country, however it usually only applies to buses, and the over-60's outside of London usually have to pay if they wish to take a train.In Hounslow, the cost of free travel has traditionally been charged to the Social Services budget. This, of course, means less available for care, meals on wheels etc. The whole point about devolving power from central government is that it gives choices to more locally elected assemblies.  Older people in Ashford or Slough are generally jealous of their London neighbours, but presumably they benefit from some services we don't provide.

John Connelly ● 6321d

A  Labour government were the first to tax the sick (surprise, surprise!) with a 20p vhargeVanessa"it is also the case that hospital waiting lists are much longer, the money only goes so far". Is it because we don't mind who turns up here for free medical and maternity care, perhaps we should charge those who don't qualify (non EU citizens?) How long can we sustain this free health tourism. (apologies to the luvvies in our midst, who will undoubtably "throw a wobbly" but I'm not blee***g BOVVERED!

Account suspended ● 6321d

Yes and No - there was a bit on this on the Beeb a while ago and whilst the prescription thing is true - it is also the case that hospital waiting lists are much longer, the money only goes so far. You pays your money - you make your choice. It is however a moot point that any of this could be afforded if both Scots and Welsh were completely independent? I don't think you are a moany git, I think we are entitled to ask why we seem to be subsidising people who clearly don't like us very much and want to do their own thing - fine by me, but don't expect us to pay you for the privilege should be the message.

Vanessa Smith ● 6325d