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Rise in prescription fees intensifies the charges debate

In a move described as ‘breathtaking hypocrisy’ by the Tories, Labour has announced that prescription charges are to rise by 15p per item, to £5.80.

But ministers are defending the rise as the first since 1981 which has been below the rate of inflation. The government claims that the rise of 2.7 per cent is in fact a fall of 0.1 per cent in real terms.

Nonetheless, the increase has come in for widespread criticism from many health organisations, including the British Medical Association, the Association of Community Health Councils and the Patients Association.

Unison’s head of health, Bob Abberley, said: ‘Rather than taxing the sick, we would expect a Labour government to look at ways of spreading the costs more fairly.’

And the rise has also focused attention on the issue of patient charges in other areas of health care.

‘It is time to announce the restoration of free eye and dental checks,’ said Liberal Democrat health spokesman Simon Hughes. ‘With the strong economy, the money is available and preventative checks actually save money in the long run.’