Surprise charge from hospital after trip to A&E

LisaB85

Just over a week ago I was sent to A&E at my local hospital by a GP at my surgery with concussion and a suspected broken hip. The doctor wasn't brilliant and sent me for an X ray which came back ok he barely said 2 words to me about after care of concussion and the pulled muscles. (GP was angry he didn't keep me in for observation for the concussion or advise me of any aftercare)

He asked if I wanted any stronger painkillers and brought me co-codamol and naproxin. He didn't mention any charge to me or the person I was with and just walked off.

Today I got a letter informing me of a charge of £7.40 per item for the medication I was given so I called them and the man on the phone explained that there are signs in the waiting room explaining there is a charge.....erm I had concussion I could only face forwards and was spaced out!

Signs are all well and good but what about people who can't read or like me have minor head injuries which imp-are vision and brain function. Surely the doctors should be making sure a patient understands they will be charged for medication when offering things that are not essential.

If he had told me I'd have been charged I'd have said no.

[Deleted User]

You'd have sat in pain for the sake of seven quid?

LisaB85

ringo_24601 wrote: »

You'd have sat in pain for the sake of seven quid?

No I'd have used over the counter medication....Co-codamol is available over the counter.

spadoosh

And is that not a prescription?!

Azari

Write back and say that you were offered the items without charge and that as far as you are concerned that is the end of the matter.

Mention that you were suffering from a suspected concussion, were confused, and had limited vision, and were not in a position to read any notices and it was therefore incumbent on whomever provided you with the tablets to ensure that you were aware of any payment required so that you could make an informed decision as to whether or not to accept them..

muddyl

Maybe the pain wasn't too bad, only op can be judge of that.

Azari

spadoosh wrote: »

And is that not a prescription?!

No, it isn't.

LisaB85

muddyl wrote: »

Maybe the pain wasn't too bad, only op can be judge of that.

I only used a couple of the pills they gave me, was too strong and made me feel ill, the naproxin shouldn't be used with bruising etc anyway as it can increase bleeding.

It wasn't too bad until I moved so could have coped on over the counter stuff.

LisaB85

Azari wrote: »

Write back and say that you were offered the items without charge and that as far as you are concerned that is the end of the matter.

Mention that you were suffering from a suspected concussion, were confused, and had limited vision, and were not in a position to read any notices and it was therefore incumbent on whomever provided you with the tablets to ensure that you were aware of any payment required so that you could make an informed decision as to whether or not to accept them..

I'm on IB JSA at the mo do I still pay? x

milliemonster

you're lucky, a few years ago I was involved in an RTA and an ambulance was called to take me to A&E, a few weeks later I was billed for the ambulance £40 or thereabouts, well I hadn't even called the ambulance at the the time and was a bit shocked but understand this is common practice, does that mean I shouldn't have contributed?

It's widely known what the prescription charge is for medication from the NHS, you should know this with or without concussion, hospitals used to not charge for medication but then a lot of patients cottoned on to the fact if they visited their GP they would have to pay the prescription fee but if they went to A&E they got the item for free so would start to misuse A&E for free medication (I'm not suggesting this is what you have done) so now you have to pay for an NHS prescription whoever you get it from unless you are exempt.

By the way, what does of cocodamol was it? only the 8/500 is available over the counter, it might be that you have the 30/500 which is prescription only

Azari

LisaB85 wrote: »

I'm on IB JSA at the mo do I still pay? x

No.

If you wish you can write asking for the prescription form so that you can fill in the relevant section to get the medication without charge.

Make sure you include a complaint that you were not given the opportunity to do that at the time and the resultant correspondence is wasting both your and the hospital's time.