Concerns are mounting over planned changes to prescriptions, eye tests and dental treatment - over fears they could hit the vulnerable.

The Manx Labour Party say it is ’profoundly concerned’ at some of the proposals, which were discussed in great detail at its monthly meeting last week.

And the Manx Blind Welfare Society has warned against any measure that may dissuade people from undergoing regular eye tests.

Under the proposals going out for public consultation, state pensioners up to the age of 75 would no longer be entitled to free prescriptions and dental charges.

The price of prescriptions will go up to £5 per time and eye tests will no longer be free and will be every two years rather than annual.

Manx Labour Party chairman David Cretney MLC has written to Amanda Craig, the DHSC’s director of policy and strategy seeking clarification of the proposals, telling her he had been ’inundated’ with questions.

Mr Cretney said the party would resist any attempts to privatise or dismantle the Manx NHS.

And he added: ’We remain profoundly concerned that at this time, government seems far from joined up in relation to in particular those people who are not in receipt of income support but are just above and into middle earners who have had a series of stealth taxes applied but no needs test to ensure fairness.’

In a series of questions to Ms Craig, the Labour Party chairman asked if people will be able to pay monthly for a pre-payment certificate for prescriptions.

She replied that alternative payment options would unlikely to be in place in time for the launch, but a four-monthly option is already in place.

Mr Cretney also asked why the changes were being brought forward in advance of means testing, as they would ’add to the difficulties of those just above the income support level but are struggling because of ongoing stealth charges’.

Ms Craig said anyone unable to claim an exemption and genuinely unable to afford any of the charges will be able to ask for a review, with each case considered on its merit.

She said the Cabinet Office has advised that means testing proposals are still in development but this is a ’complex piece of work’ which will still take ’significant’ time to deliver.

Labour Party members have also raised concern over the plans to make pregnant women no longer exempt from prescription charges.

Meanwhile, Ian Cooil, chief executive at Manx Blind Welfare Society, said he was concerned at the plans to charge £10 for an eye test every two years.

He said: ’The College of Optometrists recommends that regular eye tests should be undertaken every two years across the general population.

’While we support the advice which would change the current provision from annual to biennial tests, there has been no agreement that a charging framework would be introduced for those tests.

’We are concerned that the recent announcement from the Minister is unhelpful given the constructive dialogue that has, and continues to take place. ’These routine checks can identify potential issues and conditions of the eye at an early stage, allowing intervention and treatment which could prevent or reduce sight loss.’

Mr Cooil said early indications of other significant treatable medical conditions can also be identified during eye tests, enabling early treatment and reducing the impact on the individual and potentially costs.

He said: ’While we understand and appreciate the need for government to control costs and ensure public resources are targeted to where they will have the greatest benefit, we would strongly advise against any measure which may dissuade people from undergoing regular eye tests.’