Sensitive first post

any_name_will_suffice

Thinking of you OP xx

lostinrates

mumps wrote: »

Yes it is. Looking back it is because I queried why contraception is free, you said it was cheaper for the NHS so I said what about free five a day and you said that wasn't a medicine or medical procedure. I asked if condoms were a medicine or medical procedure and you said a medical device (I think) so I asked about gluten free bread. Not a medicine, medical procedure or device but provided free (well person I know gets it free I can't swear everyone does) I still don't understand why contraception is free, why no prescription charge? I don't really understand why my friend gets free bread either. It seems really random what you pay for and what you don't. I have an underactive thyroid which means I don't pay for any prescriptions so if I have an infection and need antibiotics or something I get it free but it is nothing to do with my thyroid. I don't even understand why the thyroxine is free let alone things unrelated to my condition. I have a friend with asthma and I don't think that qualifies for free prescriptions but she needs loads of med as she has really severe asthma which is life threatening. Don't you think it is a bit odd?

I still don't know what your comment about refunds was about? I have stated I had free contraception so completely irrelevant.

I think its odd too. Not contraception but the rest. Otoh, it is possible to pay for your prescriptions on a moral stance. I pay for mine on a prepaid card and some. Privately, and I pay for some of my medical care. I see no reason the NHs should pay for me to moan about it when other people need it and I have access to other health care. Its also always been possible to refuse other entitlements like child benefit if your household didn't need them. More moan than do though.

heartbreak_star

Supportive thoughts and hugs to you TaS.

Regarding free contraception...see my earlier post. Do we really want to go back to the days of abandoned babies and gin abortions? Plus, a healthy sex life is good for you

HBS x

mumps

lostinrates wrote: »

I think its odd too. Not contraception but the rest. Otoh, it is possible to pay for your prescriptions on a moral stance. I pay for mine on a prepaid card and some. Privately, and I pay for some of my medical care. I see no reason the NHs should pay for me to moan about it when other people need it and I have access to other health care. Its also always been possible to refuse other entitlements like child benefit if your household didn't need them. More moan than do though.

Boots wouldn't accept the money when I offered it for some antibiotics, they know I get my thyroxine free so although I didn't tick the box on the prescription they said not to pay, I assumed I would pay for anything unrelated to my condition. To be honest apart from thyroxine I rarely take medication or buy over the counter if I can.

lostinrates

mumps wrote: »

Boots wouldn't accept the money when I offered it for some antibiotics, they know I get my thyroxine free so although I didn't tick the box on the prescription they said not to pay, I assumed I would pay for anything unrelated to my condition. To be honest apart from thyroxine I rarely take medication or buy over the counter if I can.

The simplest way to do it is to ask for a private prescription of your GP is allowed / willing to comply.

An alternative simple way is to make a cheque payment with a 'donation' and explanation at the end of your financial year.

Aiui funding for prescriptions comes directly from taxation. Dept health is a popular one in uk. Fwiw when DH and. Use contraception we pay for our own of that too, but I'm more than happy to pay for free contraception and would far rather pay through taxation for more contraception and early intervention than later intervention both more costly and far less humane choice.

jellyhead

xXMessedUpXx wrote: »

I have a medical prescription that means I need medication every month, still have to pay, which is why I've currently been without meds for a week

If they charged for the pill I think I'd just have to take my chances with condoms as they cost less than a prescription (tried implant and injection and neither agree with me)

Off topic, sorry, but do you get a 3-monthly certificate? It's cheaper than paying for single prescriptions for me, but may not be for you depending on how many items you need. I have asthma, so it's always been cheaper for me to get the certificate.

I went without inhalers several times when I was a teenager, simply because I had to wait for my student grant and had used my ventolin faster than I'd anticipated, and had been too ill to go to work so I had no wages. I ended up in hospital a few times. Thankfully contraception was free during those times!

lostinrates

jellyhead wrote: »

Off topic, sorry, but do you get a 3-monthly certificate? It's cheaper than paying for single prescriptions for me, but may not be for you depending on how many items you need. I have asthma, so it's always been cheaper for me to get the certificate.

I went without inhalers several times when I was a teenager, simply because I had to wait for my student grant and had used my ventolin faster than I'd anticipated, and had been too ill to go to work so I had no wages. I ended up in hospital a few times. Thankfully contraception was free during those times!

Fwiw there are annual ones too.


It makes me desperately sad you had to go with out your inhaler as a student, .

jellyhead

lostinrates wrote: »

Fwiw there are annual ones too.


It makes me desperately sad you had to go with out your inhaler as a student, .

Thanks. Luckily I was only a couple of miles from hospital, and this was back when it would be your own GP who came out to see you, and called the ambulance. I don't know if certificates were available in '93 - perhaps they were, and I had my head in the clouds. My income was less than it would have been on the dole, so I think that not being allowed exemption was unfair.

Nowadays I am better at budgeting :T

KxMx

jellyhead wrote: »

Off topic, sorry, but do you get a 3-monthly certificate? It's cheaper than paying for single prescriptions for me, but may not be for you depending on how many items you need. I have asthma, so it's always been cheaper for me to get the certificate.

I went without inhalers several times when I was a teenager, simply because I had to wait for my student grant and had used my ventolin faster than I'd anticipated, and had been too ill to go to work so I had no wages. I ended up in hospital a few times. Thankfully contraception was free during those times!

The yearly card can be paid for by Direct Debit, £10.40 a month for 10 months, handy for budgeting.

puppypants

Move to Wales - free prescriptions. xx