What to do

LP0985

I've been issued with a prescription fine from NHS BSA due to my med exempt cert expired.
I was informed that my GP should have issued me a letter to notify it was due for renewal which I never received. 

My surgery isn't taking any accountability for not issuing the letter. My GP are now also refusing to approve the renewal of my MEC and I have had to book an app to speak to my consultant at the hospital this month about it. There is a code on my medical file as my medical condition has been life threating several times for me (compete cardiac arrest) in the past which they are disregarding. I need quick access to the medication if I should need to take it which was instructed to my GP by my consultant. I don't have the time to wait a week whilst my GP decide to give me a prescription (this has been in place for the past 11 years without any issues)

If I have to pay it of course I will but as this is caused by a failing on my GP behalf I wanted to know if there is anything I can do first?

Flugelhorn

I am not sure that a reminder would come from the GP practice, I think it would come from NHSBSA 

ETA - this is from the NHSBSA site

"to renew your medical exemption certificate, you must speak to your GP who'll complete a new FP92a application form.

A medical exemption certificate is valid for 5 years.

We'll send a letter reminding you your certificate is about to expire one month before the expiry date if you’re under the age of 60."

swingaloo

Neither myself nor my son has ever been sent a reminder from either of our GPs. .

You dont actually qualify for free prescriptions because you need medication urgently, it all depends on your illness.

This is from the NHSBSA site, do you have one of these? if not then that may be why your GP will not approve the renewal.

You're entitled to a medical exemption certificate if you have either:

• a permanent fistula (for example, caecostomy, colostomy, laryngostomy or ileostomy) which needs continuous surgical dressing or an appliance
• a form of hypoadrenalism (for example, Addison’s Disease) for which specific substitution therapy is essential
• diabetes insipidus and other forms of hypopituitarism
• diabetes mellitus, except where treatment is by diet alone
• hypoparathyroidism
• myasthenia gravis
• myxoedema (that is, hypothyroidism which needs thyroid hormone replacement)
• epilepsy which needs continuous anticonvulsive therapy
• a continuing physical disability which means you cannot go out without the help of another person
• cancer and are undergoing treatment for either:
  • cancer
  • the effects of cancer
  • the effects of cancer treatment

These are the only conditions that entitle you to a medical exemption certificate. If you’re not sure about the name of your condition, speak to your doctor.

Flugelhorn

Sounds like OP has had a MEC before - presume there was something that ticked the box ?? - they don't tend to remove things from the  list only add them

LP0985

I didn't give a bit of background as I wanted to keep it private. But I do have a life long condition which automatically classes me a disabled and is on the qualifying list of MEC. My consultant had to take me off my medication due to a procedure I needed to have (the GP was fully aware of all this) but has totally disregard what my consultant has said and instructed. I have spoken to the NHS BSA and they have said the GP should approve the MEC due to the medical condition I have. 

Flugelhorn

LP0985 said:

I have spoken to the NHS BSA and they have said the GP should approve the MEC due to the medical condition I have. 

and I wonder where the people at NHS BSA got their medical degrees from? will they speak up if the GP is charged with fraud for incorrectly signing one of these?

sounds like something that needs sorting between the consultant and GP - sometimes if people are taken off medication it means they drop out of the categories - perhaps that is what happened? Few years since I signed off one of these forms but they can be complicated situations and sometimes take a bit of discussion between consultants and  GPs

If you are having to pay for prescriptions at present, are you aware of the pre-payment certificate which could make it a lot cheaper for you ?

Hopefully this can get sorted out for you soon. 

marcia_

LP0985 said:

I didn't give a bit of background as I wanted to keep it private. But I do have a life long condition which automatically classes me a disabled and is on the qualifying list of MEC. My consultant had to take me off my medication due to a procedure I needed to have (the GP was fully aware of all this) but has totally disregard what my consultant has said and instructed. I have spoken to the NHS BSA and they have said the GP should approve the MEC due to the medical condition I have. 

 I received a fine after i didn't renew my exemption certificate, I rang and told them I still qualify because I have epilepsy they cancelled the fine. 

Flugelhorn

marcia_ said:

LP0985 said:

I didn't give a bit of background as I wanted to keep it private. But I do have a life long condition which automatically classes me a disabled and is on the qualifying list of MEC. My consultant had to take me off my medication due to a procedure I needed to have (the GP was fully aware of all this) but has totally disregard what my consultant has said and instructed. I have spoken to the NHS BSA and they have said the GP should approve the MEC due to the medical condition I have. 

 I received a fine after i didn't renew my exemption certificate, I rang and told them I still qualify because I have epilepsy they cancelled the fine. 

if you then got a new cert then that was the sensible option of NHSBSA. I think there can be gaps between these certs  sometimes and it can be tricky to keep track 

Lozzaa85

marcia_ said:

LP0985 said:

I didn't give a bit of background as I wanted to keep it private. But I do have a life long condition which automatically classes me a disabled and is on the qualifying list of MEC. My consultant had to take me off my medication due to a procedure I needed to have (the GP was fully aware of all this) but has totally disregard what my consultant has said and instructed. I have spoken to the NHS BSA and they have said the GP should approve the MEC due to the medical condition I have. 

 I received a fine after i didn't renew my exemption certificate, I rang and told them I still qualify because I have epilepsy they cancelled the fine. 

It’s good to know they cancelled the fine. I’m definitely a bit late to this conversation but was having a look to see if anyone had similar experience (although ever situation is individual) 

if not to late this msg just gets missed wonder if OP has an update.

I think that they kinda need a bit of standing up to if keeping the fines as I think actually targeting those with serious medical conditions and that are exempt but seems a bit fishy how often is happening and also the fine are ridiculous. 

Seen a lot of post about prepayment certs and doesn’t apply to me but also regardless if I’m honest some comments just weren’t helpful and along the tines of “just pay it” and kinda taking the side if the fines, not sure if that is because of how prepayment work and it being their responsibility but none the less I don’t think those comments helpful. 

I’ve had cancer for 16 years. not in remission as they couldn’t get all of it safely but fortunately it was a slow growing one but I think anyone who’s had it remission or not entitled to for life and due to how even slow friwung ones effect a body get why. I’ve always been able to apply for a MEC but also I went back to work as soon as I could after treatment and working tax credits with the disability element which automatically qualify you. At first they would send you a card but then it just went digital so they would send a letter sometimes with the code but overall it just comes up with the pharmacy. Everything changed to UC in the summer and I was really worried after hearing. Things but then reassured that protected so nothing would change from tax credits. 

I have my prescriptions put in a box to save pharmacy issues and a few months ago I got a letter fining me. I’ve been paying for them since then as did fill in a MEC and the pharmacy been giving me a firm everytime sp I can claim back but it’s been six weeks since I filled the form and heard they only back date a month. Turns out the numpty receptionist i physically handed it to never passed it on so I’m in a complaint with them and don’t mind filling a new form (takes two seconds) but think they should at the very least back date it to when i handed it, the have cctv I can prove it if not a month before that which they should do 

Regardless of that as don’t think it would change the fine I’m really reluctant to pay it and a bit like they can get it from my cold hands or accept a payment plan of a quid a month, I don’t ,ind paying for the prescription and it was only one so a tenner but the £100 is ludicrous and having previously worked fir the nhs I know that money ain’t going anywhere good. 

I think it’s disgusting that I’m sure I’m not the only person exempt cause of cancer or other serious conditions this has happened too. I have about £40 worth of prescription's a month and they are all related to either dealing with nerve pain or direct things to prevent me getting oesophagus cancer. I, not good at complaints or one to create fuss but I’m a carer to my mum (unpaid) work part time due to illness and care work and feel like saying I just won’t take them and if I get cancer then it’s on them and with the fine if I have to pay it then given I am exempt, not trued to con anyone and would pay the price but fines are just a corrupt money making scheme and not extortionate. 

If we all just comply nothing will change ✊