Apologies for cross-posting. list members may be interested in submitting 
evidence to this inquiry (the call for evidence went out a few weeks ago); 
the call for evidence is also at 
http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/health_committee/051013a.
cfm
 
John Mohan
Sociology and Social Policy
University of Southampton
Health Committee
13 October 2005
Session 2005–06 
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New Inquiry – Co-payments and charges in the NHS
Terms of Reference
The NHS makes charges for certain treatments, for example prescriptions, 
dentistry and optical services and for certain amenities, for example for 
TV and telephone use and for car parking at some hospitals.  These charges 
(sometimes known as co-payments) have not  been systematically or 
thoroughly examined for many years. Their rationale is unclear. Patients 
are often unaware of the rules surrounding charges and of exemptions. 
Accordingly the Health Committee has decided to undertake an inquiry into 
the subject with the following terms of reference:

Whether charges for: 

treatments, including prescriptions, dentistry and optical services; and 
hospital services (such as telephone and TV use and car parking) are 
equitable and appropriate? 

What is the optimal level of charges?

Whether the system of charges is sufficiently transparent?

What criteria should determine who should pay and who should be exempt?

How should relevant patients be made more aware of their eligibility for 
exemption from charges?

Whether charges should be abolished?



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Organisations and individuals wishing to submit a short memorandum are 
invited to do so no later than Wednesday 7 December 2005.  Late memoranda 
will only be accepted at the Committee’s discretion, and may not be 
considered for publication. 

Evidence sessions are likely to commence in January 2006 and a later press 
notice will give details of these.

A revised guide to preparing written evidence for the Health Committee is 
appended to this notice.  The Committee requests that evidence should be 
concise and in the form of a self-contained memorandum, prepared according 
to the guidelines set out by the terms of reference given above and 
preferably submitted electronically to [log in to unmask] .  

Please note that the Health Committee is unable to investigate individual 
cases.

The Health Committee is a Select Committee of the House of Commons.  It is 
appointed under Standing Order No.152 to examine the expenditure, 
administration and policy of the Department of Health and associated 
public bodies.  The Committee has the power to send for persons, papers 
and records.

Guide to Submitting Written Evidence