Written question asked by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 17 May 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 7 June 2004. It was answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Labour) on Monday, 7 June 2004 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will estimate the administration costs of collecting charges for (a) eye check-ups, (b) dental check-ups and (c) prescriptions. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the administration costs of collecting charges for (a) eye check-ups, (b) dental check-ups and (c) prescriptions. [174478] Ms Rosie Winterton: There are no charges for sight tests provided under the national health service. Sight tests are free to children, older people, people on low income and those susceptible to eye disease who can benefit most from regular sight tests. More than 85 per cent., of the total income from prescription charges is collected by community pharmacists and dispensing doctors as part of the dispensing of medicines. Charges for dental examinations are collected by dentists. There is no separately identifiable element of the remuneration of any of these professions attributable to the charge collection function. The administration costs of the sale of prescription pre-payment certificates, which account for the remainder of the income from prescription charges, are around £1.5 million per year.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 174478; 422 c157W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Dental services Administration Costs Fees and charges Eyesight NHS Prescriptions Testing
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk