free prescriptions and dental care for students?

rb1

Hi
Can anyone tell me if students living away from home on a student loan are entitled to free prescriptions or dental care? I asked at my local pharmacy and they were vague, suggesting that there's a form that needs completed which assesses whether you are low income or not?
Grateful for any advice.
Thanks:)

msmyth18

My uni has its own medical centre, and theres a dentist on the campus (open to non-students too) I recommend phoning ahead and seeing if yours does too! I would imagine most Unis do as mine is a small one yet still has these facilities. They are free you just sign a declaration on the prescription, if they ask for proof you have a student card.

rb1

Thankyou for this advice. I will investigate both suggestions.

dmg24

msmyth18 wrote: »

My uni has its own medical centre, and theres a dentist on the campus (open to non-students too) I recommend phoning ahead and seeing if yours does too! I would imagine most Unis do as mine is a small one yet still has these facilities. They are free you just sign a declaration on the prescription, if they ask for proof you have a student card.

Are you in England, and which box do you tick on the form?

elisamoose

prescriptions are not free for students once they are over 18.Not sure but think dentist is the same.

from NHS website

You can get free NHS prescriptions if, at the time the prescription is dispensed, you:

• are 60 or over,
• are under 16,
• are 16-18 and in full-time education,
• are pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months and have a valid maternity exemption certificate (MatEx),
• have a specified medical condition and have a valid medical exemption certificate (MedEx),
• have a continuing physical disability which means you can't go out without help from another person and have a valid MedEx,
• hold a valid war pension exemption certificate and the prescription is for your accepted disability,
• or you are an NHS inpatient.

You are also entitled to free prescriptions if you or your partner (including civil partners) are named on or are entitled to an NHS tax credit exemption certificate or a valid HC2 certificate (full help with health costs), or you receive either:

• Income Support,
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance,
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or
• Pension Credit Guarantee Credit.

Find out more about the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS).

adouglasmhor

I didn't get free prescriptions but I didn't have to pay the full amount for dental work, I had to make a contribution the maximum for which was £2 in my case.
You won't know till you send of the form and they send you a reply.

nimbo

the form is what is needed, and not all camouses have dr's on site.

we did in the first year 2 half days, but due to no shows of appointments they stopped this service....

with the hc11 or whatever it's called, they can still say no, although they let me in the first term, and then not again after the 6 months had run out.... which was a bit of a pain.

dmg24

nimbo wrote: »

the form is what is needed, and not all camouses have dr's on site.

we did in the first year 2 half days, but due to no shows of appointments they stopped this service....

with the hc11 or whatever it's called, they can still say no, although they let me in the first term, and then not again after the 6 months had run out.... which was a bit of a pain.

So you qualified through the Low Income Scheme, not by virtue of having a student care? You are not making a lot of sense!