HL Deb 27 March 1985 vol 461 cc1025-6

2.49 p.m.

Lord Rugby

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to inform the public that optical prescriptions may now be taken to any dispenser.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Baroness Trumpington)

My Lords, the ending of the optician's monopoly on 10th December attracted considerable press comment in which attention was drawn to the patient's right to take the prescription to other dispensers.

Lord Rugby

My Lords, may I say how pleased I am to be the first to put a Question to the noble Baroness in her new role? I should like to congratulate her and also to share her concern for her noble colleague and friend Lord Avon. I should like to ask the noble Baroness, in her new role, whether she or the department is aware of efforts by opticians in order to prevent people from taking away their prescriptions? Various actions have been taken by opticians, such as intimidation, tearing up the prescription, and from certain reports which I have given to her also giving a prescription which is knowingly wrong. If there is any foundation to these reports, would the noble Baroness not agree that these could be matters of very grave seriousness?

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Rugby, for what he has said. It is rather a bitter-sweet situation from my point of view, owing to the circumstances in which I have been so lucky as to get this job. I can only echo what the noble Lord, Lord Shinwell, once said: that we who have no knowledge become instant experts.

In answer to the noble Lord's question, from the 1st April the terms of service of opticians will be amended to require them to hand over to the patient the prescription in all cases where glasses are prescribed. Any optician who fails to do so will be in breach of his terms of service.

Lord Orr-Ewing

My Lords, has my noble friend seen the Pharmacists' Journal, which recommends that pharmacists should not be encouraged— in fact, should be positively discouraged—in marketing and dispensing spectacles? Is this not a restraint on trade and totally opposed to the freedom which the Government have sought to give to those who are buying spectacles so that they have a chance of buying spectacles at an economic rate?

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, in answer to the latter part of my noble friend's question, yes. With regard to the former part, no, I have not seen the article. But perhaps I may explain the disciplinary procedures if anybody steps outside the line. Penalties range from a warning, withholding of such sums as the Secretary of State thinks fit, to referral to the NHS Tribunal for consideration of removal from the GOS list. Money which a patient has expended as a result of the optician's breach of terms of service can also be withheld and paid back to the patient.

Lord Leatherland

My Lords, may I ask the noble Baroness whether, as one of my eyes is slightly weaker than the other, I can get a monocle on the health service?

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, may I suggest that the noble Lord applies to his optician?