Prescription costs are not what they appear

CLLR Lesley Walton is being a little disingenuous when discussing the costs of a prescription in England compared to the free service in Wales (“Wales’ Senedd gets it right with the NHS”, WM letters, May 19).

After checking NHS England for those entitled to free prescriptions, most of the population appears to be exempt.

It seems only those with high incomes need to pay as everyone from under 16 to those over 60 are entitled to free medicine and a whole lot of people in between. A full list is available if you look on the website.

It seems that in Wales our NHS funds also pay for the prescriptions of full-time workers with high incomes, who could be paying their own way.

I bet that includes all our civic representatives and the forthcoming 96 Senedd members and their families, besides half the business population with huge salaries.

As for personal experience in receiving NHS help, I too have been treated speedily and with great care by the staff at our hospitals and would never denigrate their dedication to the job.

This is not a political issue, however much the Senedd would like to make it. Excessive waiting times are a matter of life or death for many people and result in distress within families, which brings on other serious problems.

More money, and staff are needed and that should be the priority for everyone involved.

If it means slapping a few pounds onto a prescription for those who can afford it, why are we in Wales not doing it? The money raised could help bring in much needed extra cash.

Caroline West West Cross, Swansea