Written question asked by Alan Hurst (Labour) on Tuesday, 20 June 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 28 June 2000. It was answered by John Denham (Labour) on Wednesday, 28 June 2000 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many free eye tests have been undertaken for pensioners under the current scheme; and what is the cost of the scheme to date. - Includes figures.

Answer: Mr. Hurst: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many free eye tests have been undertaken for pensioners under the current scheme; and what is the cost of the scheme to date. [127587] Mr. Denham: We estimate that 2.5 million additional people aged 60 or over received National Health Service sight tests in the financial year from April 1999 and that the cost of our decision to restore eligibility for free tests to this population group is about £40 million per annum.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 127587; 352 c512W
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Costs Concessions Eyesight NHS Pensioners Ophthalmic services Testing
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk