SCRAP Prescription Charges

The weblog of the Scottish Campaign to Remove All Prescription Charges. Keeping you updated on all the news about Colin Fox MSP's bill to the Scottish Parliament.

Thursday, December 09, 2004

Minutes available

The minutes of the last national SCRAP meeting can be found in PDF format here.

MID SCOTLAND AND FIFE SCRAP PRESCRIPTION CHARGES CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED

Press Release

MID SCOTLAND AND FIFE SCRAP PRESCRIPTION CHARGES CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED.

A local branch of the Scottish Campaign to Remove All Prescription Charges covering Mid Scotland and Fife has been launched.

SCRAP will be working to build support for Colin Fox MSP's Scottish Parliament Bill to abolish prescription charges.

The parliament has the power to take such a step and in so doing would follow the example of the Welsh Assembly which will see charges phased out completely by 2007.

SCRAP Local spokesman Rowland Sheret said:

"Getting rid of prescription charges would have a major positive impact on Scotland's health. This fact is clearly underlined by official figures which show that 78,000 Scots patients were forced to go without prescription on cost grounds. last year." "Many of them may well have seen their illness worsen as a result and this has costs both for the patient and the Health Service. "

"Government claims that abolition cannot be afforded are just not true. The annual cost would be £46 million as part of an annual Scottish NHS budget £8,800 million."

"SCRAP will be on the streets, in the communities and workplaces with meetings, petition and letters to politicians pressing hard for this vital health measure".

End

Contact : Rowland Sheret 01786 471554
Visit SCRAP at www.scrapcharges.org.uk

Tuesday, December 07, 2004

Bill to be lodged in January

A quick roundup of some campaign news.

Firstly and most importantly, the bill will be lodged in January. We will make a copy of it available on this website then.

The national SCRAP group will be contacting all 1,200 community councils across Scotland to ask for their support for the bill.

Following meetings we hope to set up regional SCRAP groups soon.

And finally, SCRAP have a banner which we will be unveiling shortly.

Model Resolution for Trade Unions

You can download a model resolution on the abolition of prescription charges for trades union branches here.