Money Moral Dilemma: Can I keep using my NHS discount card even though I've left the service?

Littledaler

If it had been free then, no you shouldn't use it but since you paid for it then it's valid for use until expiry.

jiminy22

I also work for the NHS and assume you're talking about the Blue Light Card? If you are referencing that, then you'll have had to pay £5 to access the card, so this isn't a "get something for nothing" situation like some other commenters may have gathered. Additionally, you did genuinely work for the NHS when you got your card (otherwise you wouldn't have had an NHS badge or NHS email to verify it with), so you haven't acted fraudulently in procuring it. I have never heard of someone getting into bother for using a Blue Light Card after they've left the NHS, so I think you're okay in practical terms. In moral terms (using the discount without working for the NHS), I also think you're okay because I can't see who would be being harmed by you continuing to use the discount. Most Blue Light Card offers that I've seen haven't "sold out" as it were, so you most likely wont be depriving someone who still works in the NHS, and since the offers that do sell out are distributed on a "first come, first serve" basis, then they'll have had equal opportunity as you to make use of the discount. My opinion? Use it while you can with the price of things at the moment.

[Deleted User]

Magstar1001 said:

Of course
Enjoy all your discounts in this tough world we live in.

What I don't understand is why everyone doesn't get a discount. If they can give it to NHS or Students then they should give discount to all

Make the most of it, good luck to you 

It's made a tougher world for the rest of us by people abusing the system.  If you don't have the right to something you shouldn't take it, or where does that end? 

mrpunk50

Much like an NUS card, companies are choosing to offer a discount as a promotional scheme. They are still making a profit, and it isn't a selfless handout on their part. 

From some of the sanctimonious replies, you'd think the OP's proposal was to commit benefit fraud. 

Personally, I would continue to use any discount available until the card expires. 

Medic994

jiminy22 said:

I also work for the NHS and assume you're talking about the Blue Light Card? If you are referencing that, then you'll have had to pay £5 to access the card, so this isn't a "get something for nothing" situation like some other commenters may have gathered. Additionally, you did genuinely work for the NHS when you got your card (otherwise you wouldn't have had an NHS badge or NHS email to verify it with), so you haven't acted fraudulently in procuring it. I have never heard of someone getting into bother for using a Blue Light Card after they've left the NHS, so I think you're okay in practical terms. In moral terms (using the discount without working for the NHS), I also think you're okay because I can't see who would be being harmed by you continuing to use the discount. Most Blue Light Card offers that I've seen haven't "sold out" as it were, so you most likely wont be depriving someone who still works in the NHS, and since the offers that do sell out are distributed on a "first come, first serve" basis, then they'll have had equal opportunity as you to make use of the discount. My opinion? Use it while you can with the price of things at the moment.

Quite right.

If you paid for the card then it's technically a membership scheme that gets you discounts with big national companies, and not just like using your old NHS ID to blag a discount in an independent shop.

Keep using it until it expires.

Andy_L

jiminy22 said:

I also work for the NHS and assume you're talking about the Blue Light Card? If you are referencing that, then you'll have had to pay £5 to access the card, so this isn't a "get something for nothing" situation like some other commenters may have gathered. Additionally, you did genuinely work for the NHS when you got your card (otherwise you wouldn't have had an NHS badge or NHS email to verify it with), so you haven't acted fraudulently in procuring it. I have never heard of someone getting into bother for using a Blue Light Card after they've left the NHS, so I think you're okay in practical terms. In moral terms (using the discount without working for the NHS), I also think you're okay because I can't see who would be being harmed by you continuing to use the discount. Most Blue Light Card offers that I've seen haven't "sold out" as it were, so you most likely wont be depriving someone who still works in the NHS, and since the offers that do sell out are distributed on a "first come, first serve" basis, then they'll have had equal opportunity as you to make use of the discount. My opinion? Use it while you can with the price of things at the moment.

That's because Blue Light Card T&Cs specifically say you can use it till it expires if you leave the NHS

The company offering the discount are loosing out

Aralditey

The NHS Blue light card is now extended to retirees ; I didn't even get mine until 12 months after retiring. This started about 3 months ago.

sisterchicken

hi  i retired from the nhs 10 years ago and in my recent pension update was a form to apply for the blue light card which i paid £4.99  for it and was granted it as a retired nhs worker its valid until 2024 

sisterchicken

Pineapple999 said:

It’s the companies that offer the discount that actually fund the discount, not the NHS,  and they do so as a Thankyou and a perk for hard working NHS staff - if you are no longer one of those, then no, you definitely shouldn’t still be using it. 

if its a blue light card you can actually apply for it after retirement as i have done and was granted it at a cost of £4.99 it can be used in alot of places including eating out , asda , river island etc 

Sess56

My BLC ran out 2 months after I retired, I carried on using it.  You can now receive a card if you are retired and can prove you worked for the NHS. I sent a copy of my P60 and the fee.  All sorted for another 2 years.