NHS Charging for Vaccines which are free!

gordikin

The vaccs may be 'free' but giving the injection is at a cost?

gordikin

feelingblue wrote: »

Absolutely would not send my kids off without the best protection available! But I believe that, let's say (as has happened to older child who is not travelling) if you have an accident breaking the skin the tetanus booster is given as a matter of course if you haven't had one for 10 years (i think) - without consultation fee!!!!

I have calmed down a little but I was shocked! And still believe I am right (no arrogance intended) that consultation in this instance isn't required. Spoke to my sis-in-law who's kids have been already to visit my ex-husbands friends definately did not pay for these injections and she lives five miles up the road. It's just the principal that I object to and would pay the fee's if necessary to enable my kids to have this once of a lifetime opportunity - it's something I could never afford to offer them! In fact, our camping holidays will pale into insignificance after this trip methinks!!!!

When 'researching' though I did come across people who went to other destinations and didn't have vacs either for lack of funds or time. This, as already suggested, could be extremely dangerous and though I would possibly risk it myself if there was lack of time
(unwisely, I know) as I am a healthy adult I certainly wouldn't risk it for the kids. Unfortunately, a damp few days under canvas is probably the best I can look forward to (puts on sad, feel sorry for me face lol) and a good old fashioned English runny nose is the worst I can expect!! Now, there's a vaccine worth some money.........

Good rounded discussion though - thanks peeps!

...a good listening reply..thanks, it's so unusual to see it.

geordieracer

feelingblue wrote: »

I checked on NHS website - all of these are offered free of charge on the NHS. I just visited my surgery to enquire as they are leaving in 6 weeks and was given a form and asked for a £30 consultation fee each although it was clearly stated on the form that there is no charge for the vaccines. I explained I do not need a consultation to be told that it is 'company policy' that they will not issue vaccines unless you have had a 'risk assessment' i.e consultation. 'Company policy?' I queried - is this not an NHS surgery. 'Yes, but we are being managed by a private firm and this is their policy'.
:mad:

So they are not charging you for the vaccines then , they are charging you for a consultancy before giving you the vaccs for free.

peachyprice

We've always had to pay for holiday vacs here, it's nothing new, I remember my parents having to pay 30 odd years ago.

feelingblue

geordieracer wrote: »

So they are not charging you for the vaccines then , they are charging you for a consultancy before giving you the vaccs for free.

Yes - and that is exactly how it was stated on the form 'this is a consultancy fee and not a charge for your vaccinations' or something like that. I gave them back the forms and wish I had kept one now just for clarification of exact wording.

geordieracer

feelingblue wrote: »

Yes - and that is exactly how it was stated on the form 'this is a consultancy fee and not a charge for your vaccinations' or something like that. I gave them back the forms and wish I had kept one now just for clarification of exact wording.

So really you should change the thread title because its very missleading in your actual rant. They are NOT charging you for the vaccines at all are they. And its not the NHS its your practice.

MarzipanFish

I had to pay to get a 'travel consulation' to discuss the vaccines I needed when I was going away. It wasn't £30 though, I think it was £5. A nurse gave me some general advice on travel safety and recommended vaccines. Decided on just the free ones - Hep A & something else (i've forgotten ).

I don't think its unusual to charge for travel appts. I thought it was reasonable to make some contribution because it was my choice to want to go somewhere that I needed vaccines for. I would probably have felt a bit annoyed about paying £30 though!

jhe

maybe things have changed since last year but i updated my vaccs for free with my practice nurse, i would have paid if need be but there was no charge(i do have to pay for my hep vaccs connected with my work) the practice nurse went onto the internet and gave me the website to check for health advice when travelling abroad

shaun_from_Africa

I've just gone back through my records for the shots I had last year.
Yellow fever. £50
Hep A. £85.
Rabies. £205 for course of 3 injections.

If I only had to pay £30 or so I would have been over the moon!

geordieracer

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

I've just gone back through my records for the shots I had last year.
Yellow fever. £50
Hep A. £85.
Rabies. £205 for course of 3 injections.

If I only had to pay £30 or so I would have been over the moon!

They are not your standard jabs though.