§ Mr. NichollsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people each year receive financial assistance after appealing for help with NHS costs using an HC1 form. [122783]
§ Ms StuartIn England for the year 1999–2000, the Health Benefits Division of the Prescription Pricing Authority issued around 542,000 National Health Service charges certificates (HC2) for full help and around 299,000 NHS Charges certificates (HC3) for limited help following an HC1 claim. People named on an HC2 would be entitled to full financial assistance with NHS costs (e.g. free NHS prescriptions) when they received treatment. People named on an HC3 would have been entitled to financial assistance with health costs (excluding prescription charges) on a sliding scale when they received treatment. The number of people who receive financial assistance in this way is not recorded.