RE: NHS Prescription exemption checking service URGENT HELP REQUIRED

chrissyshaw112

Hello All,

I really need advice urgently and would really really appreciate your help on this matter. Apologies for where i have put this but i cant seem to find any forum subject where to put this.

Basically, i am currently on maternity leave after giving birth to my daughter in august. i got an infection of which i went to the doctors and received a prescription. I went to the pharmacy and asked which box do i tick as i am currently on maternity leave of which they advised i selected the Maternity leave exemption. (Please bare in mind at this point in time the pharmacist did not ask to see a certificate).

During the whole time i was pregnant nor my doctor or my midwife gave me any advice in regards to the process required in order to receive free prescriptions when on mat leave. presumably once you are on mat leave i thought that was your proof as i had not been advised otherwise from the professionals.

However in December i received a letter from the NHS prescription exemption checking service advising that i need to provide evidence that i am on maternity leave with a mat leave certificate otherwise i will get fined £80. I didnt have this certificate and needed to get a FW8 application form. the nhs service told me it is a controlled form that only the doctors or midwifes have access too of which they complete on your behalf.

I contacted the midwifes who prompted completed this form for me and i signed and sent off early january, i forwarded them the certificate once received only to be told that it can only be back dated 1 month after receiving the certificate this being december. and because my prescription related to september i still have to pay.

I guess to try and cut a long story short... how can i be held liable for these charges when the most important document required to get access to one of these certificate is in possession of the professionals only. and if i am not told about this form by the professionals that have this form how am i meant to know about this certificate required to get free prescriptions when on mat leave. I have no money as i am on mat leave pay and they are threatening me with county court proceedings. This is meant to be an enjoyable maternity leave with my child instead i am fighting with the nhs to not pay these charges. there is no appeal system in place its a matter of shut up and pay!

I have until tomorrow to pay and if i dont then they will go through the court proceedings.

What should i do? i have contacted CAB and they advised they cant help me as its the NHS which they dont deal with. I am totally on my own and no idea who i can ask for help as when i call them they just keep stating some legislation and thats pretty much it i need to pay but its not my fault its the midwifes and doctors!

xxx

matttye

How much are they saying you owe?

Lungboy

If you didn't fill in the form why tick the box to say you had a valid maternity exemption certificate? It doesn't say anything about maternity leave.

chrissyshaw112

they are saying i owe £80.00 to them. I ticked the box as i presumed it was saying i am exempt from paying as i am on maternity leave. unaware of this maternity exemption certificate that is required in order to get free prescriptions as i didnt know otherwise. no one ever told me of the procedure required so was totally unaware.

matttye

If the form said to tick the box if you have a maternity leave certificate then you shouldn't have ticked the box, not having such a certificate.

If, however, the form just asked if you're on maternity leave then I would agree the whole procedure should've been explained to you.

That said, do you want to risk getting a CCJ for the sake of £80? Can anyone lend you the money?

tomtontom

The prescription form states 'has a valid maternity exemption certificate' - the wording is quite clear. The application procedure is also detailed on the internet. You do need to pay the penalty - they do proactively pursue those that do not.

[Deleted User]

Not sure how much help I'm going to be and can understand where you are coming from, I have been exempt from paying for prescriptions since yesteryear and got so confused last year with the change I ended up stopping taking my life long meds over it all, have to say in your defence the leaflet I now have directs me to my GP! that the chemist gave me, so you've done everything right, don't be worried, it may come down to least sorted if there is a next time

Medical and Maternity Exemptions Certificate Helpline:
0300 330 1341 - what had this line said on the matter?

Have you spoken with your surgery practice manager? it maybe you have to make a complaint to the NHS authority

If it can't assist I would just soak it up, oh my word £16.10 compared to £100 - the fines just remind me of the dvla we have the power to seize your car seriousness when road tax is missed? I'm really not sure of government fines on debt collection but if you surrender your income and expenditure that should help and make it easier to come to arrangement to pay
I won't make the mistake again and your thread prompts me to do something about this tomorrow as my chemist without question just handed over the needed medication last time after all the confusion!! thank you again

Would you be eligible for the NHS low income scheme - would need form HC1
http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/HealthCosts/1128.aspx

Hope you get on alright xxx

Lungboy

Deleted%20User wrote: »

Not
Have you spoken with your surgery practice manager? it maybe you have to make a complaint to the NHS authority

Complaint about what? Nobody did anything wrong except the Op.

Poppie68

Sorry but the onus is you to find out what you are entitled too...Did you get a copy of 'Emma's Diary"...all information regarding relevant forms used to be printed in there...failing that The paperwork/bumpf given to you at your booking appointment with the midwife contains everything you need to know with regards to MatB1, FW8 forms etc.

The NHSBSA have very strict guidelines and there is no right of appeal.
The midwife or GP have not done anything wrong and a complaint even if it was upheld would not exempt you for paying the requested charges.

janiebquick

Lungboy wrote: »

Complaint about what? Nobody did anything wrong except the Op.

Not so. She should have been given this certificate automatically when she first attended for antenatal care.

Poppie68

janiebquick wrote: »

Not so. She should have been given this certificate automatically when she first attended for antenatal care.[/QUOTE

Not all surgeries and Midwives hand then over at the booking appointment.. Emma's Diary and other booklets given during the appointment contains everything they need to know.