MP calls for review of student prescription charges

MP calls for review of student prescription charges

Leicester MP backs NUS call for student exemption from NHS charges

Labour MP Peter Soulsby has today called on the Government to consider introducing free NHS prescriptions for full-time students. The Leicester South MP has tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM 921) which asks the Government to consider exempting students from prescription charges. The MP’s call coincides with an ongoing review of NHS charges.

Research by the National Union of Students shows that one in seven students do not seek medical assistance because they are worried about prescription costs, and that students who have to spend money on prescriptions regulary do so at the cost of spending on other essentials including food and study materials.

EDM 921 tabled by Peter Soulsby MP reads:

That this house welcomes the current review of NHS charges; notes the research published by the National Union of Students in 2004 which showed that 79.2 percent of students surveyed did not apply for help with health care costs under the low income scheme and one in seven students did not seek medical assistance when needing it; further notes the financial pressures that students face and the decision by the Welsh Assembly Government to make prescriptions free for all those under 25 years old; believes the cost of accessing healthcare diverts money away from spending on basic needs such as food and study materials; further believes that investing in affordable quality healthcare now will ensure a healthier generation of graduates, and supports the National Union of Students' campaign for accessible healthcare for all students which calls on the Government to investigate thoroughly whether students should be exempt from charges for prescriptions, dental care and eye tests.

Peter Soulsby MP said:

“Current exemptions for prescription charges do not take into account income levels, whereas students have to apply through a very bureaucratic procedure for assistance with health costs. This system includes an assessment of financial income which considers a student loan. We know that students are under increasing financial pressures with many working long hours whilst they study to make ends meet.”

“It is simply unfair and potentially dangerous that students are being discouraged from seeking medical help because they are worried about having to pay prescription charges. It is not acceptable that we have a situation where one in seven students are not seeking medical help because they are anxious about being able to afford prescription medication. Research by the NUS also tells us that students who have to pay for regular prescriptions are doing so at the cost of other essentials including food, rent, heating and academic materials.”

“The current review into NHS charges provides the perfect opportunity for the Government to give serious consideration to exempting students from prescription charges. I would urge the Government to give serious consideration to exempting students from prescription charges, recognizing the financial sacrificies that many young people take to study at university and helping to ensure we have a generation of healthy students and graduates.”

Veronica King, NUS Vice President (Welfare) said:

"Increasing debt and money worries are a reality of student life but NUS firmly believes that a student's health should come first - and accessing quality affordable healthcare is essential for this.

It is simply unacceptable that students might choose not to treat illnesses because of the cost of a prescription when it would cost the government relatively little to make them free.”

“NUS would like to see the government fully investigating the possibility of exempting students from charges for prescriptions, dental care and eye tests. It is common sense that investing in affordable quality healthcare for students now will ensure a healthier generation of graduates in the future"

She added: "NUS is extremely grateful to Peter Soulsby MP for taking the issue of students healthcare so seriously and putting this down this timely EDM"

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