§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what fee appliance contractors get for the provision of an appliance under the NHS; what fee a pharmacist gets for the provision of a similar appliance under NHS provision; what consideration has been given to altering the system; and if he will make a statement. [3612]
§ Mr. MaloneAppliance contractors are paid between 15.8 per cent. and 25 per cent. of the cost of the appliance depending on the volume dispensed plus a fee of between 2p and 78p depending of the type of appliance. Pharmacy contractors are paid a basic fee of either 85p or 94.6p plus and additional fee of between 69p and £1.97, according to the type of appliance and its cost. Pharmacy contractors can also be paid a professional allowance once they reach a monthly threshold of prescriptions dispensed and an additional fee for every expensive items. The Department keeps these systems of payment under review.