Question reference: S6W-19895
- Asked by: Clare Haughey, MSP for Rutherglen, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 11 July 2023
-
Current status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 31 July 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the most recent levels of charges are for (a) prescriptions and (b) eye tests in Scotland, and what information it has on how this compares with charges in (i) England and (ii) Wales.
Answer
In Scotland, NHS prescriptions charges were abolished in 2011 and are free to all at the point of access. This is also the case in Wales where charges were abolished in 2007. Patients not entitled to free prescriptions in England are liable to a charge of £9.65 per item from April 2023.
NHS eye examinations in Scotland are free to anyone ordinarily resident in the UK and to some eligible overseas visitors. In England and Wales, the eligibility criteria for free NHS sight tests are different and can be accessed here: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/opticians/free-nhs-eye-tests-and-optical-vouchers/ .