Written Question · S2W-14968 · Session 2
Whether it has any plans to increase prescription and other health service charges.
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to increase prescription and other health service charges.
The answer
We have just laid before the Parliament regulations to increase prescription and other National Health Service charges in Scotland from 1 April 2005. There will be a cash increase in the prescription charges of 10p (1.57%) from £6.40 to £6.50 for each quantity of a drug or appliance dispensed.
The cost of a prescription prepayment certificate will rise to £33.90 for a four month certificate and £93.20 for an annual certificate. These offer savings for people needing more than five items in four months or 14 items in a year.
Prescription charges are expected to raise some £44 million for NHSScotland in 2004-05.
Charges for elastic stockings and tights, wigs and most fabric supports supplied through the hospital service will be increased similarly.
The maximum patient charge for a single course of dental treatment begun on or after 1 April 2005 will increase from £378 to £384.
We have restricted the prescription charge increase to the same cash amount as the previous five years and other increases are in line with this percentage increase.
In order to provide help with the cost of spectacles or contact leases to children, people on a low income and individuals with complex sight problems, optical voucher values will increase by 2.5%.
The cost of a prescription prepayment certificate will rise to £33.90 for a four month certificate and £93.20 for an annual certificate. These offer savings for people needing more than five items in four months or 14 items in a year.
Prescription charges are expected to raise some £44 million for NHSScotland in 2004-05.
Charges for elastic stockings and tights, wigs and most fabric supports supplied through the hospital service will be increased similarly.
The maximum patient charge for a single course of dental treatment begun on or after 1 April 2005 will increase from £378 to £384.
We have restricted the prescription charge increase to the same cash amount as the previous five years and other increases are in line with this percentage increase.
In order to provide help with the cost of spectacles or contact leases to children, people on a low income and individuals with complex sight problems, optical voucher values will increase by 2.5%.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S2W-14968 by reference.