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[BERNADETTE]

Regardless of what revenue comes from where and the population of the countries are people in need on different incomes in different parts of the United Kingdom? No of course they aren't so why are some allowed free prescriptions, hospital parking and the like while others aren't?
It is the people in power who cause these problems by giving free prescriptions to everyone regardless of their income. As has been mentioned earlier in the thread some people are denied drugs that could keep them alive. So maybe if we all had to pay the same costs the "post code lottery" of being prescribed these life enhancing drugs could be avoided.

[SPUGGIE J]

So if the Scottish Govenment used its additional tax raising powers it has and added an extra couple of pence in the pound to pay for the odds and ends that Scots needed would people still say its unfair? I am not saying that it is a bed of roses in Scotland since devolution nor in Wales or Northern Ireland but it seems that people are taking the same kind of attitude to these constituent countries as they do to ethnic minorities. In a way they have become ethnic minorities in the place that claims to be the United Kingdom. Scotland pays £5 a pop for its perscriptions at the moment but that will be abollished soon. As for hospital parking i am unsure if it is free all over Scotland or not though it is free at F.R.I. at the moment. To be charged to park at a hospital were a loved one is staying due to circumstance or misfortune is just a money making scheme for badly managed accounts at these hospitals.

Cull the so called management and save a few pounds that way. As for perscriptions then make things leaner and meaner in not just the NHS but in the civil sector as a whole. I am sure there are non jobs quangos etc that cost a fortune to help. Lets get back to a free for all NHS if we can. As for a post code lottery on drugs it depends on the number of people ill in an area. Some places that have a populace the same as another and the same budget for NHS treatment might have a higher rate of illness than the other and therefore it is a case of selective treatment for those in the higher illness area.

Just as an after thought on this issue If a relitive with the same build of house with the same cost has a lower council tax bill because they are in a different area would you be up in arms?

[jaysay]

What annoys me is the fact that MPs representing English constituencies don't get a say on, things like student loans, hospital parking, prescription charges, in Scotland and Wales, yet Scottish and Welsh MPs at Westminster get a vote on the same issues affecting England, how can this be right

[SPUGGIE J]

Originally Posted by jaysay

What annoys me is the fact that MPs representing English constituencies don't get a say on, things like student loans, hospital parking, prescription charges, in Scotland and Wales, yet Scottish and Welsh MPs at Westminster get a vote on the same issues affecting England, how can this be right

What about when English MP's decided what was best for These countries because they outnumbered those that represented them? Shoe is on the other foot and it doesnt fit. Scotland was abbused with the test run for the imfamous poll tax and because of being outnumbered Scots MP's couldnt stop it could they. Now that there is devolution in N.Ireland Scotland and Wales England is having to face what these countries had to put up with for centuries. This will continue untill either the UK is broken up into its constituent countries or there is an English on English issues only rule. There are still matters that are not in the remit of the devolved govenments which English MP's have a vote on is there not?

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by SPUGGIE J

What about when English MP's decided what was best for These countries because they outnumbered those that represented them? Shoe is on the other foot and it doesnt fit. Scotland was abbused with the test run for the imfamous poll tax and because of being outnumbered Scots MP's couldnt stop it could they. Now that there is devolution in N.Ireland Scotland and Wales England is having to face what these countries had to put up with for centuries. This will continue until either the UK is broken up into its constituent countries or there is an English on English issues only rule. There are still matters that are not in the remit of the devolved govenments which English MP's have a vote on is there not?

MPs at Westminster can vote on English issues irrespective of where they are from, this is why thee as always been the West Lothian question regarding devolved government, I'm not against it but lets have it on an even keel, with only English MPs voting on English issues

[SPUGGIE J]

Originally Posted by jaysay

MPs at Westminster can vote on English issues irrespective of where they are from, this is why thee as always been the West Lothian question regarding devolved government, I'm not against it but lets have it on an even keel, with only English MPs voting on English issues

Untill this mess is fixed there will be a lot of handbagging around. Its is not in our hands sadly as it should be each to their own and no other unless it is an issue relevent to all not just the one.

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by SPUGGIE J

Untill this mess is fixed there will be a lot of handbagging around. Its is not in our hands sadly as it should be each to their own and no other unless it is an issue relevent to all not just the one.

Its a mess that could have been averted Spugs, rocket science it ain't, its very easy people voting for things that don't affect those who elect them AKA Gordon Brown, and his little Darling

[SPUGGIE J]

Originally Posted by jaysay

Its a mess that could have been averted Spugs, rocket science it ain't, its very easy people voting for things that don't affect those who elect them AKA Gordon Brown, and his little Darling

Which is what English MP's did for the rest of the UK up to devolution. Now as I said they are getting a dose of their own medicine.

[lindsay ormerod]

Prescriptions should be free, full stop. Milk tokens/healthy start vouchers should be given to every family not just those on benefits because every child deserves a "healthy start". Incontinence aids and sanitary protection should be free, I could go on, it will get me nowhere, but I see the system being abused regularly from my position and it annoys me no end that little old dears are having to pay for their Tena lady (£7 a pack) from their meagre pensions and serial offenders with 5 kids come in scrounging everything they can get on minor ailments schemes and trying to use their milk tokens to buy nappies.......

[shillelagh]

Thats why they should go to superdrug they are cheaper there ... i know cos i had to buy them for my mum ...

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by lindsay ormerod

Prescriptions should be free, full stop. Milk tokens/healthy start vouchers should be given to every family not just those on benefits because every child deserves a "healthy start". Incontinence aids and sanitary protection should be free, I could go on, it will get me nowhere, but I see the system being abused regularly from my position and it annoys me no end that little old dears are having to pay for their Tena lady (£7 a pack) from their meagre pensions and serial offenders with 5 kids come in scrounging everything they can get on minor ailments schemes and trying to use their milk tokens to buy nappies.......

I've always said that linds, its like a tax on the sick, but I would suggest that anybody who has not got a prescribed disease which entitles them to free prescriptions, but are on medication for the rest of their lives gust to control there health problems, I would advise them to apply for an exemption certificate from the community health council, I did and got one, many years ago, and was advised to do so by my GP