Kennedy promises review of prescription charges
Charles Kennedy, leader of the Liberal Democrats, today pledged to conduct an independent review of the prescription charge regime in an effort to deliver a fairer health service.
During a press conference to unveil the Liberal Democrat health manifesto, he revealed plans to cut health charges, resulting in free eye and dental checks.
Mr Kennedy said: “For the Liberal Democrats fairness is a priority. So we are announcing today our absolute determination to review the whole prescription charge regime.”
He highlighted the inconsistencies that resulted from the exemptions list that determines which conditions should be exempt from prescriptions charges, arguing that it had been drawn up in “a different medical age” and was no longer relevant.
“The current system means people on low incomes have to budget for their medicine – and often end up taking lower doses to save money. That can’t be right.”
Mr Kennedy argued that this approach merely compounded problems, and lead to increased costs for the NHS because unchecked conditions would get worse.
As such, the Liberal Democrats pledged to undertake “the first major independent review of prescription charges in a generation. Our aim will be a fairer system, with free prescriptions for more people with long term conditions.”
He said the party had set aside £225 million to implement the recommendations of the review.
Mr Kennedy said that the Liberal Democrat approach to the health service was characterised as putting the principles the NHS was built on into practice.
“We reject the political target culture of Labour that is distorting all too often the priorities of local hospitals.” Further, Mr Kennedy said: “We reject the Conservative mantra of false choice because we believe that comes at the expense of real capacity in the NHS.”
Instead, Mr Kennedy argued: “To create a modern, effective health service, one that is properly staffed and securely funded. A health service where people get their first choice of quality healthcare close to home. A health service where all waits matter and swift diagnosis and treatment count . A health service where the patient always comes first.”
But Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said that the Lib Dems policy didn’t make sense.
Mr Lansley, said: “It is utterly ridiculous for the Liberal Democrats to claim they’ll cut bureaucracy and abolish targets, while introducing a policy to break up the NHS and make it part of local Government, which will increase bureaucracy and political interference even more”.
