Morgan defends free prescriptions

Rhodri Morgan defended his free prescriptions policy from claims it was being abused by patients and diverting money from other parts of the NHS.

During heated exchanges in the Senedd, the First Minister clashed with opposition AMs when they rounded on his flagship policy.

Patients in England pay £7.10 for a prescription, unlike patients in Wales who have paid nothing since April last year.

Mr Morgan angrily rejected claims of "prescription tourism" by the Conservatives who said English patients were registering with GPs in Wales to qualify for the scheme.

The Liberal Democrats' Jenny Randerson asked why money was paying for free prescriptions when brain patients could not get specialist treatment.

Mr Morgan replied: "Accept that free prescriptions has happened. It's a success. You didn't like it, you continue not to like it, but for God's sake use some sensible arguments."

He added: "On and on you go trying to convert the good news about free prescriptions. It's a very good policy. There is no evidence that it's being abused."

He described a Tory press release which pointed out that the number of people registered with a GP was higher than the estimated population, as "lunatic". The estimated Welsh population in 2006 was 2,965,885 - but 3,093,001 people were registered with a GP.

The Assembly Government says the long-standing difference was caused by people staying on surgery lists when they moved home and registered elsewhere.

But Tory AM Darren Millar said he knew second-home and caravan owners from outside Wales who registered with GPs in his Clwyd West constituency to avoid prescription charges. He said: "If free prescriptions are being abused by those living in England, then it will be Welsh patients who lose out."

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