NEWS BMA debates prescription charges
Some Scottish doctors are calling for an end to free prescriptions for all, to reduce the financial burden on the NHS, a conference has heard.
A British Medical Association (BMA) Scotland meeting in Clydebank debated a motion asking for the SNP’s flagship policy to be scrapped and replaced with a means-tested system.
Family doctors from across Scotland raised concerns about spiralling pressures within general practice at the heated meeting, which was attended by Health Secretary Shona Robison. There were also discussions about funding, workload and whether there will be enough GPs to fulfil the new contract, which is set to be unveiled next year.
Medics from Ayrshire and Arran lodged a motion saying: “The total abolition of prescription charges in Scotland is a drain on already stretched NHS resources and adds to GP workloads.
“Conference calls on SGPC (Scottish General Practitioners Committee) to work with relevant bodies towards the reintroduction of a means-tested prescription charge.”
Ms Robison dismissed the idea of means testing, which she said was “a tax on ill health”. Dr John Kyle, a GP trainee representative for Ayrshire and Arran LMC committee, said, “Across Scotland we have an ageing population, patient demand is increasing and new medicines and treatments are costing more.
“I think this is placing the whole NHS under huge pressure and I think no-one is feeling that more than GPs. There are huge problems with unsustainable workload and funding has been falling in recent years.
“As a result of that we need to be looking at every option to help the NHS going forward.” A means-tested system might include exemptions for children, patients on low incomes or
those with cancer, he said.
Dr Kyle added, “I don’t think doctors want to see patients charged for anything but I think we really need to address this financial crisis.”
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