prescriptions

webbit

Sorry did not know where to put this

Northern Ireland - prescriptions are free of charge.

Scotland – the prescription charge is £3.00 and will be reduced further every year until 1st April 2011 when prescriptions will be free of charge.

Wales – prescriptions are free of charge.

England £7.20

Surely this is not fair.

no-oneknowsme

This post may well be better suited in discussion time or in the praise vent and warnings ?

VfM4meplse

There's no parity but that's what comes of having devolved powers. The English treasury makes too much income from this to see the price coming down...these are austere times after all.

ceeforcat

Yes they are free of charge in N.I. and the misuse is frightening. Patients now attend the doctor to get prescriptions for sun cream!

MrRedundant

Wrong section.

But my take - Scottish, Irish, Welsh governments/assemblies have powers and budgets which are independent of westminister for many areas of which prescriptions is one of them.

It is therefore the choice of these governments how they use these budgets and powers. There will no doubt be stuff in England which is more beneficial than in the other countries to offset this; If not then you should be asking why the westminister government seem to be inefficient and not have the budgetary leeway the others have.

lisyloo

England £7.20

Surely this is not fair.

I can't remember the percentage but most people do get free prescriptions in England.

The rules are crazy.

I have underactive thyroid and because of that ALL my medications are free. I think that's nuts.
So my hayfever tables that I had to pay for before are now free because I have been diagnosed with something totally unrealted.

I do agree it's not fair, but many people get them for free.

soulsaver

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 that prevents you from going 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
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

Or if you live in NI, Wales or Scotland.

soulsaver

BTW I dont qualify on any front but wasn't there a proposal that those with a long term chronic conditions (heart disease for example) were to get free scrips?

no-oneknowsme

ceeforcat wrote: »

Yes they are free of charge in N.I. and the misuse is frightening. Patients now attend the doctor to get prescriptions for sun cream!

What makes you say this ? Did you read that somewhere ?