NHS Dental Fees And Prescription Charges To Rise In April
Health ministers have announced increases in prescription charges and NHS dental fees, which will come into play in April.
The cost of prescription medication will increase by 20 pence, taking the charge per item up to £8.25. Prescription charges are only payable in England, as Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have already scrapped the charges.
The cost of dental treatment provided by the NHS will also increase. Band 1 treatments, which include routine check-ups, will increase by 50 pence to £18.50, while the cost of a band 2 treatment will rise by £1.50 to £50.50 and the cost of a band 3 treatment will increase by £5 to £219.
Free dental care is available for children and those on low incomes, as well as people who receive certain benefits. The charges for prepayment certificates, which cover 6 month and 12 periods, will not change.
Health Minister Norman Lamb confirmed the increases and said that they were required due to the increasing demands on the National Health Service. Earl Howe, a fellow Health Minister, issued a statement saying that spending on medicines has increased significantly and increases must be made to take account of the rising demand for NHS care.
The changes in fees will come into play in April and health ministers have suggested that there be further small increases next year.
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