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<p>The Department is currently exploring the feasibility of this, and the other asks
within the charter.</p><p>The Department for Work and Pensions offers Personal Independence
Payments (PIP) to individuals with health conditions or disabilities. However, there
is currently no automatic entitlement to PIP in relation to specific health conditions,
except in cases of people nearing the end of life, specifically the last year of life.
The Government understands that there are people with severe and lifelong health conditions
which will not improve. Guidance ensures that those on the highest level of support,
whose needs will not improve, receive an ongoing award with a light-touch review at
the 10-year point.</p><p>The primary focus of the Department for Transport’s Blue
Badge scheme is to help those with the greatest mobility needs. Eligibility is not
based on the type of disability. There are several automatic qualifying criteria for
a Blue Badge, such as being in receipt of PIP because you cannot walk more than 50
metres. People who do not automatically qualify for a Blue Badge may still be eligible
for a badge through further assessment.</p><p>With regards to free prescriptions,
approximately 89% of prescription items are currently dispensed free of charge, and
there is a wide range of exemptions from prescription charges already in place. People
with Parkinson’s disease who are 60 years old or over are entitled to free prescriptions.
For those that have to pay for prescriptions, the cost can be capped by purchasing
a pre-payment certificate, which can be paid for in instalments. Additionally, the
NHS Low Income Scheme can provide help with health costs on an income-related basis.</p>
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