Written question asked by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 18 February 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 25 February 2005. It was answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Labour) on Friday, 25 February 2005 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will estimate the cost of implementing a policy of free eye tests for all NHS patients. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cost of implementing a policy of free eye tests for all NHS patients. [217492] Ms Rosie Winterton: Free sight tests on the national health service are already available to priority groups: children under 16, those aged 16-18 in full-time education, people on low incomes who might otherwise be deterred by the cost of a private sight test and defined categories of people at particular risk of developing eye disease. In April 1999 we extended free sight tests to all people aged 60 and over. Based on the most recent data available, we estimate that the cost of extending free sight tests to all those who currently pay privately for sight tests would be an additional £89 million based on the 2004-05 rate of £17.82 per test. We believe that the current range of entitlements to free sight tests and optical vouchers is sufficient to meet the needs of young people, people on low incomes and individuals at particular risk of developing eye disease. A further extension would not be the best use of the funds available for the development of the NHS.

Secondary information