HEALTH COMMITTEE ON FACT-FINDING VISIT TO WELSH ASSEMBLY

CHEAL011/2005 | 18 November 2005

MSPs are set to hear more about the Welsh Assembly’s phased abolition of prescription charges when a delegation from the Scottish Parliament’s Health Committee visits the National Assembly for Wales on November 21 and 22.

The visit to Wales, where prescription charges are set to be phased out by 2007, will aid the Committee’s consideration of the Abolition of NHS Prescription Charges (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1.

The Bill, put forward by Colin Fox MSP, seeks to abolish National Health Service prescription charges in Scotland for the provision of drugs, medicine and appliances, or for pharmaceutical services.

Health Committee Convener Roseanna Cunningham MSP, Deputy Convener Janis Hughes MSP, Mike Rumbles MSP and Dr Jean Turner MSP will formally report back to the Committee with their findings.

Ms Cunningham said:

“This fact-finding visit will give us a valuable insight into the abolition of prescription charges in Wales. The Bill we are looking at does not phase out charging and we are keen to hear more about how this has worked in Wales so we can scrutinise the Bill with this knowledge.

“The visit also provides a useful opportunity to meet key figures from another devolved legislature including Dr Brian Gibbons, the Welsh Minister for Health and Social Services.”

The Committee members are also set to meet with GPs, community pharmacists, and patient representatives over the two days.

PROGRAMME

Monday 21 November

• Meeting with community pharmacists and general practitioners

Tuesday 22 November

Morning:

• Visit to new Welsh Assembly Chamber
• Meeting with Dr Brian Gibbons, Minister for Health and Social Services
• Meeting with Welsh Assembly officials

Afternoon:

• Meeting with Welsh Assembly members
• Meeting with patient representatives

For Committee information, contact:
Roz Wheeler
Email: rosalind.wheeler@scottish.parliament.uk
Telephone: 0131 348 5410

For general enquiries, contact Public Information on: 0131 348 5000 or 0845 278 1999 (local call rate)
Text phone: 0845 270 0152 RNID Typetalk calls welcome
email: sp.info@scottish.parliament.uk