Asked by: Baroness Sherlock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government why adults with cystic fibrosis in England are not exempt from paying prescription charges.
Answered by Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford
Extensive arrangements are already in place to help people access National Health Service prescriptions. These include a broad range of NHS prescription charge exemptions, for which someone with cystic fibrosis may qualify. Together these exemptions currently mean around 89% of NHS prescription items are dispensed in the community free of charge.
To support those with the greatest need who do not qualify for an exemption, the cost of the prescription pre-payment certificates has been frozen for another year. A holder of a 12-month certificate can get all the prescriptions they need for just £2 per week.
Asked by: Baroness Sherlock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of individuals who were identified as entitled to income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) but who were moved to contributory-based ESA from Incapacity Benefit who were eligible for free prescriptions that they were then unable to claim as a result of that move; and what plans they have to compensate those individuals for any prescription charge paid.
Answered by Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford
The Department of Health and Social Care is currently liaising closely with the Department for Work and Pensions, NHS England and the NHS Business Service Authority on this important issue, and reviewing all available evidence.
As part of this work, the Government is carefully considering how to proceed with regard to individuals who were placed on contributory, rather than income-related, Employment and Support Allowance.
Asked by: Baroness Sherlock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of individuals who were identified as entitled to income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) but who were moved to contributory-based ESA from Incapacity Benefit who were eligible for financial assistance with travel fares to attend hospitals or other establishments for NHS treatment or services that they were then unable to claim as a result of that move; and what plans they have to compensate those individuals for any charges paid for such travel fares.
Answered by Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford
The Department of Health and Social Care is currently liaising closely with the Department for Work and Pensions, NHS England and the NHS Business Service Authority on this important issue, and reviewing all available evidence.
As part of this work, the Government is carefully considering how to proceed with regard to individuals who were placed on contributory, rather than income-related, Employment and Support Allowance.
Asked by: Baroness Sherlock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of individuals who were identified as entitled to income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) but who were moved to contributory-based ESA from Incapacity Benefit who were eligible for free sight tests and glasses that they were then unable to claim as a result of that move; and what plans they have to compensate those individuals for any charges paid for such sight tests and glasses.
Answered by Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford
The Department of Health and Social Care is currently liaising closely with the Department for Work and Pensions, NHS England and the NHS Business Service Authority on this important issue, and reviewing all available evidence.
As part of this work, the Government is carefully considering how to proceed with regard to individuals who were placed on contributory, rather than income-related, Employment and Support Allowance.
Asked by: Baroness Sherlock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of individuals who were identified as entitled to income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) but who were moved to contributory-based ESA from Incapacity Benefit who were eligible for free dental treatment and dentures that they were then unable to claim as a result of that move; and what plans they have to compensate those individuals for any charges paid for such treatment.
Answered by Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford
The Department of Health and Social Care is currently liaising closely with the Department for Work and Pensions, NHS England and the NHS Business Service Authority on this important issue, and reviewing all available evidence.
As part of this work, the Government is carefully considering how to proceed with regard to individuals who were placed on contributory, rather than income-related, Employment and Support Allowance.
Asked by: Baroness Sherlock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of individuals who were identified as entitled to income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) but who were moved to contributory-based ESA from Incapacity Benefit who were eligible for free wigs and fabric supports that they were then unable to claim as a result of that move; and what plans they have to compensate those individuals for any charges paid for such wigs and fabric supports.
Answered by Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford
The Department of Health and Social Care is currently liaising closely with the Department for Work and Pensions, NHS England and the NHS Business Service Authority on this important issue, and reviewing all available evidence.
As part of this work, the Government is carefully considering how to proceed with regard to individuals who were placed on contributory, rather than income-related, Employment and Support Allowance.