The official version of this document can be found via the PDF button.
The below content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost, therefore it should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments.
1240/5(5122)
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BY DEPUTY P.V.F. LE CLAIRE OF ST. HELIER
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 23rd FEBRUARY 2010
Question
"How many prescriptions are made for medicines, including inhalers, in Jersey by General Practitioners on an annual basis for the treatment of respiratory illness?
What are the costs to the States for providing these medicines and remedies?
How many sick days were lost due to respiratory illnesses in 2008 and 2009 in the private and public sectors?"
Answer
In 2009 a total of 114,449 prescription items were dispensed under the Health Insurance Fund in Jersey for respiratory drugs at a total cost of £1,672,557.57. This information relates to treatments for long-term conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as treatments for short term illnesses such as hay fever, other allergies, and cough medicines.
Please note that this total does not include items such as antibiotics which are used to treat a variety of conditions including respiratory illness.
The Social Security Department holds records of certified sickness absence through processing claims to Short Term Incapacity Allowance and Invalidity Benefit. Please note that there is no certification for single day absences. Since October 2004, individuals with long term respiratory illnesses have been able to claim Long Term Incapacity Allowance. This benefit is paid regardless of the employment status of the individual and these individuals are not included in the table below.
The table below contains details of how many days certified sickness absence is recorded in relation to respiratory illness during 2008 and 2009 for both private and public sector employees.
Certified sickness absence relating to respiratory illness
Private Sector All Public Sector 2008 2009 2008 2009 32,995 30,395 8,547 7,634