§ Lord Davies of Coityasked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans they have to increase National Health Service charges. [HL718]
§ The Minister of State, Department of Health (Baroness Jay of Paddington)We shall shortly lay before the House regulations to increase National Health Service charges in England and Wales from 1 April 1998. The prescription charge will increase by 15p, from £5.65 to £5.80 for each quantity of a drug or appliance dispensed. This represents a reduction of 0.1 per cent. in real terms. The charges for prescription prepayment certificates will rise to £30.10 for a four month certificate and £82.70 for an annual certificate. These offer savings for those needing more than five items in four months or 14 in one year. The new charge will raise some £336 million for the NHS in 1998–99.
Charges for elastic stockings and tights, wigs and most fabric supports supplied through the hospital service will be increased similarly. The maximum patient charge for a single course of dental treatment begun on or after 1 April 1998 will increase from £330 to £340. Fewer than one in every 1,000 courses of treatment will attract the new maximum charge. Optical voucher values and supplements will increase by 2.8 per cent. This will maintain the purchasing power of the vouchers given to children and those adults eligible for help with the cost of spectacles and contact lenses.
NHS charges are being examined as part of the comprehensive spending review, which is due to report in the summer. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Scotland will lay regulations to increase 126WA charges in Scotland by the same amounts. Similar arrangements will apply in Northern Ireland.
Details of the revised charges have been placed in the Library.