Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions his Department has had with NHS England on expanding medical exemption criteria to include cardiac arrest survivors dependent on long‑term rhythm‑stabilising medication.

There are no current plans to add cardiac arrest to the list of medical conditions that entitle someone to apply for a medical exemption certificate, and no discussions have been held with NHS England on this matter.

People who require long-term heart medication may be eligible for exemption from National Health Service prescription charges for another reason. Eligibility depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, whether they have a qualifying medical condition, and whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension.

Additionally, people on a low income can seek help under the NHS Low Income Scheme, and people who have to pay NHS prescription charges and need many prescription items could save money with a prescription prepayment certificate.