Jack McConnell launches the scheme giving free bus travel to pensioners.
EDINBURGH (The Scotsman), April 1, 2006:
CHARGES for a swathe of public services are being abolished today, leading to free eye and dental checks for all and the launch of free national bus travel for pensioners.
Taxpayers will fund the £200 million-a-year Executive moves, which will see the over-60s and disabled people travel across the country free for the first time and the abolition of health check charges introduced in 1989.
Plans for concessionary bus travel for 16- to 18-year-olds will be announced within weeks.
Ministers said the free eye tests would bring significant improvements in public health but they were warned that free dental checks could fall flat because of the shortage of dentists.
Jack McConnell, the First Minister, predicted the extension of free local bus travel nationwide would make a massive difference to pensioners' lives. Islanders will receive two free return ferry trips to the mainland. Mr McConnell said the scheme, costing up to £159 million this year, would make them fitter, saving on healthcare costs.
He hailed the scheme as "a significant achievement for devolution". Free bus travel starting in England today is limited to local off-peak journeys.
But the First Minister said there had to be a balance between free services and charges. He said: "It is important we do not assume everything in Scotland should be free or we should always move in that direction."
Winnie Campbell, 91, from Kilmarnock, was among pensioners celebrating the new bus passes. She said: "This is the best thing that has happened - I was spending half my pension on bus fares into Glasgow."
A broader-range free eye test will replace the current check costing £17.50 to everyone but the young, the elderly and people in need. Lewis Macdonald, the deputy health minister, said the £29 million a year scheme would benefit tens of thousands of people. He said: "This is a significant step in improving the nation's health. It offers an opportunity to expand the range of health testing by opticians."
The minister said abolishing the dental check charges of some £6-£18, at a cost of £20 million annually, would enable dentists to pick up problems earlier.
However, Andrew Lamb, director of the British Dental Association in Scotland, said: "There is a shortage of dental staff to deliver on this pledge. This is raising the expectations of the public on something they are entitled to but might find difficult to access."
By ALASTAIR DALTON, FRANK URQUHART AND LYNDSAY MOSS
April 1, 2006
BRITAIN: Over-60s ride for free
Jack McConnell launches the scheme giving free bus travel to pensioners.
EDINBURGH (The Scotsman), April 1, 2006:
CHARGES for a swathe of public services are being abolished today, leading to free eye and dental checks for all and the launch of free national bus travel for pensioners.
Taxpayers will fund the £200 million-a-year Executive moves, which will see the over-60s and disabled people travel across the country free for the first time and the abolition of health check charges introduced in 1989.
Plans for concessionary bus travel for 16- to 18-year-olds will be announced within weeks.
Ministers said the free eye tests would bring significant improvements in public health but they were warned that free dental checks could fall flat because of the shortage of dentists.
Jack McConnell, the First Minister, predicted the extension of free local bus travel nationwide would make a massive difference to pensioners' lives. Islanders will receive two free return ferry trips to the mainland. Mr McConnell said the scheme, costing up to £159 million this year, would make them fitter, saving on healthcare costs.
He hailed the scheme as "a significant achievement for devolution". Free bus travel starting in England today is limited to local off-peak journeys.
But the First Minister said there had to be a balance between free services and charges. He said: "It is important we do not assume everything in Scotland should be free or we should always move in that direction."
Winnie Campbell, 91, from Kilmarnock, was among pensioners celebrating the new bus passes. She said: "This is the best thing that has happened - I was spending half my pension on bus fares into Glasgow."
A broader-range free eye test will replace the current check costing £17.50 to everyone but the young, the elderly and people in need. Lewis Macdonald, the deputy health minister, said the £29 million a year scheme would benefit tens of thousands of people. He said: "This is a significant step in improving the nation's health. It offers an opportunity to expand the range of health testing by opticians."
The minister said abolishing the dental check charges of some £6-£18, at a cost of £20 million annually, would enable dentists to pick up problems earlier.
However, Andrew Lamb, director of the British Dental Association in Scotland, said: "There is a shortage of dental staff to deliver on this pledge. This is raising the expectations of the public on something they are entitled to but might find difficult to access."
By ALASTAIR DALTON, FRANK URQUHART AND LYNDSAY MOSS
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment