NHS & Contact lens solutions

[GarethB]

While searching the House of commons web site I came across this;

Mr. Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will make eye solution available on prescription for keratoconus patients

After the 4 questions is the response from Ms Rosie Winterton.

Basically my interpretation is that where our sight can not be corrected using glasses we are entitled to contact lens solutions at the normal prescription charge.

Am I reading this correctly?

[Matthew_]

I'm sure thats what it says. I just read it.

[Anne B]

Yep that is what it is saying.

Even i understood it !!!!

[debby dennis]

hi,

have read this the same way. that if your sight can't be corrected by glasses and you need lenses that it's up to the hospital to enable you to get the solution on prescription. would suggest that next time you have a fitting that you should ask about getting a prescription for the solution. they can either say yes or no.
debby

[John Smith]

Excellent link; thanks for posting this, Gareth.

An interesting point in it is about free lenses. Now, before my recent graft, I received a "voucher" towards the cost of my specs (because of the vision in the then-ungrafted eye was classed as "complex").

Does this mean that people in my former position are entitled to free contact lenses under the HES, or would you have to be entitled to free glasses for this to be true. Is anyone over 18 and not in full time education entitled to free specs any more?

We must remember though that this answer was given in April this year, since when I understand that the government have indeed received such a representation for question 3.

[jayuk]

thats a good find Gareth!! Good on you for finding it and bringing it to everyones attention!!

[Andrew MacLean]

The procedure:

Your opthalmologist will not write a prescriotion, but (in Scotland at least .. things may be different in the rest of the UK) will write to your GP. Your GP will then put the solutions onto your record so that you can get repeat prescriptions just by phoning the surgery.

All the best.

Andrew

[GarethB]

As many of you know Marian Bargery (Middlands Support Group Coordiantor) has been tackling this issue through her MP and what I found was actually the parlimentary response to the questions she put to her MP.

So what I found was a response that has or should have been sent to one of our members has been working towards.

I am sure Marian will elaborate further if she can, but the credit should be going to her.

[jayuk]

Def Agree there Gareth!....Hopefully she will post?..

[Emma_Marie]

In Northern Ireland, i get my contact lenses free of charge but have to pay for my glasses. In reference to solution, i get both on prescription but have found that ir works out cheaper to buy without prescription.