Question | Number of responses received | Main categories of respondent commenting on each question |
|---|
EXEMPTION ON MEDICAL GROUNDS |
1: Whether exemption from all charges should continue to be given on medical grounds alone and, | 43 | 17 individuals
8 Health Board representatives |
…, if so, whether the list of conditions should be reviewed. | 121 | 77 individuals
23 patient groups/ voluntary organisations |
2: Whether where exemption is given on medical grounds, that exemption should relate only to drugs for the treatment of the medical condition in question, rather than (as at present) covering all drugs whether or not they relate to the condition that gives rise to the exemption. | 87 | 22 patient groups/ voluntary organisations
49 individuals
6 Health Board representatives
4 pharmaceutical bodies
3 medical professionals/bodies |
3: Whether it makes more sense to provide exemption based on a list of drugs or based on a list of conditions. | 70 | 38 individuals
19 patient groups/ voluntary organisations
6 Health Board representatives |
ECONOMIC NEED - AFFORDABILITY |
1: Whether exemption should be extended to HC3 holders. | 59 | 25 individuals
12 patient groups/ voluntary organisations
8 Health Board representatives
4 pharmaceutical bodies
3 local authority social work departments
3 medical professionals/ bodies |
2: What changes to the PPC system would address current barriers to its use, particularly by those on low income, and maximise patients' benefit? | 61 | 22 individuals
17 patient groups/ voluntary organisations
8 Health Board representatives
5 pharmaceutical bodies
4 medical professionals/ bodies |
3: Whether there should be a reduced flat fee for all (with current income-based exemptions) and, if so, the level at which affordability to the patient and cost to the NHS can be balanced. | 57 | 29 individuals
11 patient groups/ voluntary organisations
10 Health Board representatives
4 pharmaceutical bodies
3 medical professionals/ bodies |
4. Whether there should be a monetary cap to the charges that a patient is required to pay over a set period of time, after which prescriptions should be free within this period of time. | 64 | 28 individuals
14 patient groups/ voluntary organisations
8 Health Board representatives
5 medical professionals/ bodies |
5. Whether there should be a concessionary rate for patients who require frequent prescriptions, and whether the concession should be triggered by the costs incurred over a set period of time. | 55 | 24 individuals
15 patient groups/ voluntary organisations
8 Health Board representatives |
6. Whether there are other changes in the arrangements for pre-payment of caps that are not listed above and which would maintain charge income in general for NHS boards. | 10 | |
EXEMPTIONS FOR STUDENTS AND TRAINEES |
1. Whether there is a case for extending the current 'full-time student' threshold to cover tertiary education. | 62 | 33 individuals
8 patient groups/ voluntary organisations
6 Health Board representatives |
2. Whether exemption should be extended to all persons in full-time education or training, regardless of their ability to pay. | 58 | 28 individuals
8 patient groups/ voluntary organisations
6 Health Board representatives |
3. Whether there should be concessionary charge arrangements for full-time students or trainees above set age thresholds. | 46 | 26 individuals
7 patient groups/ voluntary organisations |
4. Whether there are other changes in the charging system that could remove the need for special arrangements for full-time students or trainees. | 16 | |