§ 17. Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations have been made to him by the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association consequent upon the proposals of Her Majesty's Government to increase prescription charges; and what reply he has sent.
§ Sir K. JosephI have received a letter from the association. The reply from my Department refers to the Government's general policy and to the improvements in services for psychiatric and elderly patients which the increases in charges will make possible, and indicates the arrangements for helping those in need with particular reference to the mentally ill.
§ Mr. DavisIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the very grave disquiet which has been expressed by the P.R.A. in that, because of the nature of the illness of the chronic mentally sick, these patients tend not to apply for exemptions which are available; that they are completely defeated by form-filling; and invariably they are in low-paid jobs and neglect to obtain the necessary medication, which frequently results in a relapse? Would he investigate afresh the exemptions that are available?
§ Sir K. JosephI have investigated them. I cannot undertake to do it again at the moment. I will undertake that in the new take-up campaign that will take place next year I will bear the hon. Gentleman's point strongly in mind.
§ 18. Dr. Summerskillasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will undertake a review of the categories of people who qualify for exemption from prescription charges.
§ 58. Mr. George Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce legislation to exempt from prescription charges women under 65 years of age whose husbands are over 65 years of age.
§ 11. Mr. Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider the preparation of a list of life-saving drugs with a view to their exclusion from prescription charges.
§ Mr. AlisonWe are not at present contemplating any change in the existing exemption arrangements, which in our view are fully adequate for preventing hardship.
§ Dr. SummerskillWould the hon. Gentleman exempt from prescription charges women over 60, which is the retirement pension age, rather than those over 65? Would he exempt those who are not included in the restricted list of chronic sick but who nevertheless require long-term continuous treatment?
§ Mr. AlisonI am afraid that I must say "no" to the hon. Lady. There is no evidence that women between the ages of 60 and 65 are more liable to ill health than men of the same age. Indeed, they are in better health for the most part nowadays than at any other time in the past.
§ Mr. George CunninghamDoes the hon. Gentleman recognise that this is not the problem? Is he aware that the problem is that families living on retirement pensions and having to bear the burden of prescription charges at present levels will have to bear the burden of the prescription charges at the new and higher levels? Will he look at this again with a view to announcing changes in these rules as from next April when the charges go up?
§ Mr. AlisonWe are satisfied that the very wide range of exemptions and possibilities of refund cover all areas where real hardship is likely. We do not believe that a further review is necessary.
Mr. Bob BrownWill the hon. Gentleman consider ridding the registered disabled of prescription charges?
§ Mr. AlisonThe registered disabled can either be already exempt if they fall within the specified medical categories or they can get the extremely useful season ticket, which is now a better bargain.