UK people with stomas - save on prescriptions

[UnXmas]

I'm having an ileostomy next month and have found out that anyone in the UK with a stoma is entitled to free prescriptions - not just prescriptions related to the stoma, but all prescriptions. They seem to keep this quiet, but if you ask your doctor they'll give you a form to fill in and you'll get an exemption card.

I'm currently using a pre-paid prescription certificate, no one told me about those either until I happened to find out after years of paying for each prescription at the full cost.

Just wanted to let you all know, because this information just doesn't seem to be publicised much. Also you may be able to claim back what you've paid on past prescriptions once you've got an exemption card.

I know we are much much better off than those in many other countries when it comes to healthcare costs, but I'm sure many will still welcome being entitled to lowering costs even more.

 

[Nyx]

Thanks for the info...I wish we had that here! I pay for all my supplies and they can be quite expensive.

 

[Danico85]

hi, i work full time and live in scotland and have never paid for a prescription. i didnt know you had too? maybe scotland is different to england and wales, im not sure but ive never paid a penny towards any prescription

 

[valleysangel92]

hi, i work full time and live in scotland and have never paid for a prescription. i didnt know you had too? maybe scotland is different to england and wales, im not sure but ive never paid a penny towards any prescription

England is actually the only part of the UK that charges for prescriptions now. Wales and Scotland have had free prescriptions for a number of years now. I was shocked when 2 boxes of tablets cost me £15 last year in England.

 

[UnXmas]

England is actually the only part of the UK that charges for prescriptions now. Wales and Scotland have had free prescriptions for a number of years now. I was shocked when 2 boxes of tablets cost me £15 last year in England.

Thanks - I knew Wales had free prescriptions, but didn't know Scotland did, so I put "UK" when it seems I should have put "England".

 

[SarahD]

Just to be clear, I think you can only get free prescriptions if the stoma is permanent. Those with a temporary stoma still have to pay.

 

[DMac]

Hi

As has been previously mentioned, this is only applicable if you have a permanent stoma. I have one, and do get free prescriptions, but when I had the temp one I had to pay a yearly fee or pay individually.

 

[CheerBear12]

When mine was temporary I got free prescriptions and I'm in uk it got made permanent 4 months ago

 

[Kat24]

Hi I will be having a temp stoma soon and have been wondering about prescription costs.what would you spend a month roughly?(I'm from England)
Thanks

 

[CheerBear12]

Kat as soon they know you have a stoma you are entitled to free prescriptions whether temp or permanent

 

[SarahD]

I'm not certain that's true CheerBear, the NHS website specifically mentions that the stoma must be permanent to entitle you to exemption of NHS prescription charges:

http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/1126.aspx

Kat24, if you can't get exemption you could purchase an NHS prescription pre-payment certificate if you're likely to be needing lots of separate prescriptions. At least that way you know the maximum amount you'll need to pay. The cost is currently £29.10 for 3 months or £104 for 12 months:

http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/1127.aspx

 

[CheerBear12]

I got free prescriptions when mine was temp in nov 2011 and I've only had it made permanent 4 months ago

 

[CheerBear12]

From 2011 that should be**

 

[Kat24]

Thanks for the help ile have to wait and see but 29 for 3 months is less than I expected so that's good

 

[DMac]

[CheerBear12]I got free prescriptions when mine was temp in nov 2011 and I've only had it made permanent 4 months ago

In England you are not eligible for free prescriptions with a temp stoma, unless you're over 60 or on some form of benefit. Clearly, some places allow people to get free scripts because they haven't clearly stated to the pharmacy that their stoma is temporary. It can be just as easy as ticking the exemption box on the back of the form, and because you have a stoma it can go through without a charge. However, it is not true to categorically state that people with temp stomas are entitled to free prescriptions. They may be able to get them, but that's an entirely different thing.

 

[UnXmas]

In England you are not eligible for free prescriptions with a temp stoma, unless you're over 60 or on some form of benefit. Clearly, some places allow people to get free scripts because they haven't clearly stated to the pharmacy that their stoma is temporary. It can be just as easy as ticking the exemption box on the back of the form, and because you have a stoma it can go through without a charge. However, it is not true to categorically state that people with temp stomas are entitled to free prescriptions. They may be able to get them, but that's an entirely different thing.

But I have to get a doctor to sign my form for an exemption card, to verify that I have a permanent stoma. If it was only going to be temporary, wouldn't the doctor refuse to sign it?

 

[SarahD]

But I have to get a doctor to sign my form for an exemption card, to verify that I have a permanent stoma. If it was only going to be temporary, wouldn't the doctor refuse to sign it?

That's what I thought too UnXmas. I think it's down to the gp who signs the form to say you meet the exemption criteria. Technically those with a temporary stoma aren't currently entitled to nhs prescription charge exemption according to the published criteria.

 

[CheerBear12]

I never got my doctor to sign it I got a nurse in hospital to sign it and she was fine about it

 

[DMac]

[UnXmas]But I have to get a doctor to sign my form for an exemption card, to verify that I have a permanent stoma. If it was only going to be temporary, wouldn't the doctor refuse to sign it?

They should refuse, but whose to say? I can only speak from experience. I was refused free scripts when my stoma was temporary. As soon as it was permanent I was entitled to free prescriptions. Admittedly this was back in 2004/5. As far as I'm aware, it hasn't changed in England; unless someone can point me to a link that suggests otherwise.