§ Mr. GarnierTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, if she has concluded her review of the administration of the NHS low-income scheme; and if she will make a statement.
§ Dr. MawhinneyAs part of the Government's commitment to ensuring ready access to financial help with national health service charges for those who need it, the NHS low income scheme provides help with prescription and other charges for many thousands of people on low incomes who are not exempt or otherwise automatically entitled to full charge remission through receipt of income support or family credit. We have recently reviewed the scheme.
In addition to making number of operational improvements, we have considered a large number of options arising from the review. We have concluded that the present arrangements for administering the low income scheme are satisfactory, and we have not identified any options for immediate change within what can be afforded.
Existing arrangements will be extended from 1 April 1995 to provide automatic charge remission for recipients of disability working allowance. This is in line with the announcement made on 1 December 1993 at column 1039 by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security.
The review of forms presently being carried out will continue to ensure that they are as easy to understand and use as possible. We are also examining the potential for computerisation.
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