Written question asked by Sandra Gidley (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 21 July 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 9 September 2004. It was answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Labour) on Thursday, 9 September 2004 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the cost of providing pensioners with a free annual (a) eye test, (b) dental check and (c) hearing test. - Inc fig.

Answer: Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost of providing pensioners with a free annual (a) eye test, (b) dental check and (c) hearing test. [186455] Ms Rosie Winterton: We restored entitlement to free sight tests for people aged 60 and over in 1999 and hearing tests have always been available free of charge for patients referred to a national health service audiology department. People on low incomes may be exempt from dental charges or may only have to pay a reduced charge. We estimate that patient income of some £23 million per year would be lost if dental examinations were made free to all people aged 60 and over.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 424 c1351W;424 c1360W; 186455
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Dental services Costs Health services Fees and charges Exemptions Eyesight Pensioners Older people Testing Hearing
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk