The long term illness scheme covers 15 specified illnesses, and there has been no extension to the scheme since 1975.
The long term illness scheme, however, is only one of a number of schemes in operation which provide assistance towards the cost of prescribed drugs and medicines for persons with ongoing medical conditions.
Persons, with conditions such as that described by the Deputy, who, in the opinion of the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board, are unable to meet their medical expenses without undue hardship may be granted a medical card which will entitle them to the supply of all drugs and medicines without charge.
Any other person with an ongoing medical condition, which imposes a requirement for continuous medication, can benefit under the terms of the drugs cost subsidisation scheme. This scheme limits the actual expenditure of authorised beneficiaries, on prescribed medicines, to £32 per month.
In the light of the existence of these schemes, I have asked the South-Eastern Health Board to investigate the specific case referred to by the Deputy and to communicate directly with the person concerned.
