§ Mr. SwireTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to remove charges on those NHS642W (a) treatments, (b) services and (c) prescriptions for which a charge is payable by the patient at the point of use; [22238]
(2) if he will list the NHS (a) treatments, (b) services and (c) prescriptions for which a charge is levied on the patient at the point of use. [22239]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 13 December 2001]A charge is made for dental treatment provided through general or personal dental services, and for some appliances provided to hospital outpatients, to patients who are not exempt from these charges.
A prescription charge is made for most drugs and listed appliances supplied to outpatients, or in the community, to patients who are not exempt from these charges. 85 per cent. of items are dispensed free of charge.
A charge is made for wigs and fabric supports supplied to outpatients who are not exempt from these charges.
Patients who are not residents of the United Kingdom may be asked to pay for some NHS hospital treatment. Full details of the treatments and services subject to such charges are contained in the National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 1989, as amended.
We have no plans to change these arrangements.
Items which are considered additional to an individual's necessary care plan may be provided for a fee by a national health service trust using its income generation powers. There is no information held centrally on charges made in these circumstances.