§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total revenue was from(a) eye test charges, (b) dental check charges, (c) all other dental charges and (d) prescription charges in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [156708]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThere is no charge levied for sight tests under the National Health Service, which are provided free to children, people on low incomes and those at particular risk of eye disease. In 1999, we introduced free sight tests under the NHS to people aged 60 and over.
The information requested on dental charges is shown in table 1 for patient charge revenue (PCR) from the general dental services. The patient charge revenue from examinations covers all categories of patient examinations, including complex examinations. Charges are also collected in personal dental service pilots and for certain limited categories of dental treatment in community and hospital dental services, but detailed data on charge income in these areas is not collected centrally.
Table 1 £million Total PCR PCR from examinations PCR for other treatments (excluding PCR from examinations 1998–99 420.0 73 347.4 1999–2000 432.2 77 355.5 2000–01 453,4 81 372.2 2001–02 470.0 85 385.1 2002–03 481.6 88 393.6 Income from prescription charges from 1998–1999 to 2002–03 is shown in table 2.
Table 2 Income from charges (England) 1998–99 341 1 999–2000 367 2000–01 389 2001–02 408 2002–03 423