§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what information he has on the percentage fall in the number of people having eye tests since charges for tests were introduced in April;
(2) what is the average amount that opticians now charge for eye tests; and what information he has on the number of optometrists who absorb the cost in their charges for treatment.
§ Mr. MellorWe do not yet have information either on the number of people having sight tests or on the current level of charges. We expect to have some information later in the year when the market is more stable.
§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the cost to date of advertisements to encourage people to have eye tests; whether he has any plans to redirect future advertising costs to the reduction in cost to patients of eye tests; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorWe agreed early last year to participate with the optical profession in an eye care awareness campaign and we contributed £0.25 million. There is no provision for any funds for further advertising and therefore no re-directing of funds can be considered.
§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the difference in cost between a patient being seen in hospital as an outpatient, and being seen by an optometrist, for eye tests.
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§ Mr. MellorA fee of £10.40 is paid to ophthalmic opticians and £8.69 to ophthalmic medical practitioners for an NHS sight test. We do not collect figures centrally for sight tests undertaken as part of treatment in NHS hospitals.
§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what savings have resulted from the introduction of eye test charges;
(2) whether the introduction of eye tests has resulted in a saving to public funds.
§ Mr. MellorWe estimate that the introduction of sight test charges will result in a saving of some £70 million this financial year.
§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether there has been an increase in the number of patients referred to hospital ophthalmology departments for eye tests since the introduction of charges for eye tests; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorWe do not yet have this information centrally.