A proposal to charge state pensioners under 75 for prescriptions is ’disgraceful’ said former chief minister Tony Brown.

He said it will give the island the worst prescription regime in the British Isles.

He urged members of the public to contact their MHK and oppose the proposal which he said has been suggested with no justification.

The Department of Health and Social Care is consulting on introducing fees for prescriptions, eye tests and dental treatment for groups currently exempt such as those aged 65 to 74, pregnant women and new mothers and those with long term health conditions.

Mr Brown, former Castletown MHK, said the proposal is ’disgraceful ... in the main the proposed changes target the island’s pensioners, and if approved by Tynwald it will mean that more than 80 per cent of pensioners ... will no longer be eligible to receive a free prescription.

’The island will have the worst National Health Service prescription regime in the British Isles.

’In the UK, all pensioners continue to receive free prescriptions (Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales providing free prescriptions for all their residents), and in England pensioners receive them free from the age of 60, whereas in recent times the island has already increased the minimum age to 65, and now the department propose that pensioners will have to be 75 years of age and over to receive a free NHS prescription.’If people don’t oppose the proposal ’Tynwald members are likely to approve these major changes,’ he added. ’The present silence from members of the House of Keys on this most important issue for our people is deafening! This is usually an indicator of support.’

’If people wish to stop these detrimental and unfair prescription exemption and charges changes ... they must let their MHKs know their opposition.’

He added the consultation document is ’seriously lacking in setting out to the public in any meaningful way to enable them to easily understand fully what the changes will be, and why the department is proposing such changes. The document lacks any explanation and justification for their proposed changes.

’The document does not explain the implications or impact on our society of the changes.’ He said the department ’play down the adverse impact the changes will have on many in our society ... (and) the financial impact on people ... it is not conducive of a government looking after the health of its nation.’

There are other areas where government could improve its finances, he added, ’without aiming at what they no doubt see as an easy target.’Predominantly pensioners are being targeted while government hires more employees he said.