Plans to cut some products from a list of approved medical treatments that can be prescribed in Liverpool has caused uproar among councillors who call the plans 'disgusting'.
NHS Liverpool's governing body approved a move to consult on removing 17 treatments from the list of what should routinely be prescribed by GPs.
The move would see treatments for headlice, the common cold and sunburn removed, with health bosses saying these conditions will either get better on their own or can be treated with medicine you buy yourself.
But the plans caused uproar among some councillors who say it represents an erosion of the health service and will leave the poorest people in Liverpool struggling to treat certain medical conditions.
Members of the council's health and adult social care select committee passed an emergency motion opposing NHS Liverpool's move last night.
Committee member Paul Kenyon said he was disgusted by what the move could mean for some in Liverpool .
Councillor Kenyon said: "This city already has a high level of deprivation and these changes could leave people having to make a choice between head lice lotion and food.
"This report seeks to privatise certain minor health issues. Conditions such as head lice will only be treated by people who can afford to do so and the poorest will be left to suffer. It is completely unacceptable."
Health bosses say those most likely to be affected by the changes will be consulted and that no final decision has been made.
They have also underlined that GPs would still have discretion to give prescriptions if circumstances call for it.
But Dr Fiona Lemmens NHS Liverpool CCG chair, said they have to make sure limited resources are used effectively.
Dr Lemmens said: “We really want local people to tell us what they think about our proposed changes first.
“If there are any other circumstances than the ones we’ve already outlined, where limiting prescriptions for these items might affect or disadvantage people, we want to hear about it - and we’ll be going out into different communities over the coming weeks to help make sure we gather views from people right across the city.”
But councillor Angela Coleman said she felt the removal of the medicines was one of a number of 'incremental cuts' to the health service in the city that could have lasting damage.
Councillor Coleman said: "It will directly affect the health choices of the very poorest in our society if they have to pay for medications that were previously available free on prescription, and as a socialist I believe good health care is a basic requirement, regardless of ability to pay."
The 17 conditions that face being cut all feature on a longer NHS England list published last year of conditions which it said local health bosses could consider removing from GP prescription lists.
These are the conditions that people in Liverpool may soon not be able to get prescriptions for:
- Acute Sore Throat
- Coughs and colds and nasal congestion
- Cradle Cap (except where causing distress or not improving)
- Dandruff
- Head Lice
- Infant Colic
- Infrequent Constipation
- Mild Cystitis
- Mild Dry Skin/Sunburn
- Minor burns and scalds
- Mouth ulcers
- Prevention of dental caries
- Probiotics
- Sun Protection (except ACBS approved indication of photodermatoses)
- Vitamins and minerals (except a medically diagnosed deficiency,
osteoporosis and malnutrition) - Warts and Verrucae
People can share their views between 11 September and 4 December 2019 by filling in a questionnaire – either online here or by requesting a paper version of the questionnaire by calling: (0151) 0151 247 6409, emailing: involvement@liverpoolccg.nhs.uk , or texting: 07920 206 386.
