§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assistance is provided to people who are terminally ill in respect of prescriptions and other medical costs.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyTerminally ill patients incur no charges for the treatment or medication that they 731W receive during their stay in hospital. Although they are not specifically exempted from prescription and other NHS charges there are wide-ranging exemption arrangements designed to help patients who might have difficulty in paying NHS charges. As the result of these arrangements over 75 per cent. of all items dispensed in the NHS are provided free. People who are not exempt but who need frequent medication can reduce the cost by purchasing a prepayment certificate.