Join 193,904+ people reading about free prescriptions | Send to friend

Medical Exemption Certificates and free prescriptions There has recently been uproar from some of our Forum users who have been charged for medication that they are entiltled to for free with the NHS. This is due to the NHS Business Service Authority taking control of checking Medical Exemption Certificates in 2014 - if you were not registered for one by 2002, you won’t have been aware of this, or reminded to get a valid certificate. Making sure you have a valid certificate is vital to avoid receiving a charge for your medication as well as a penalty fee. Medical Exemption Certificates – Stay in charge, don’t get charged While not all diabetic patients are eligible for Medical Exemption Certificates, all diabetics are entitled to VAT exemption. This avoids charges for items such as blood glucose monitors, test strips, lancets and other diabetes products – which are typically qualified as being solely for diabetes related purposes. VAT Exemption for People with Diabetes Help with health costs for diabetes also come in the form of free eye tests and optical vouchers, while you should consult your doctor to see if you are entitled to any other financial help. Help with Health Costs (HC11 Form) Prescription fines have been a prominent recent issue for our forum users, with Roody writing: Also just got the penalty charge notice through the letterbox today. It appears my exemption certificate has expired… I didn’t even realise they did expire! Isn’t diabetes a chronic condition for which currently there is no cure? We are not going to miraculously recover from the condition any day soon and no longer require meds , so why are we being persecuted by the NHS? Prescription fine Most Popular: Pages Free prescriptions 75,004 Smart insulin 66,490 Disability living allowance (DLA) 65,233 Blood glucose checker 61,847 Embarrassing conditions 55,957

Meet the Diabetes Community Whether you are seeking support, just want to ask a question or want to share your experiences, the Diabetes Forum is the place to do it. This month, we launched Blogs – your own personal space where you can talk about whatever it is you want. We’ve seen a variety of blogs so far – ranging from low-carb to cake and Lucozade to pistachios. Get to know people who are on a similar journey on the Diabetes Forum. Visit the Diabetes Forum

Study confirms that some people are genetically more likely to be obese Obesity’s a lot more complex than a lot of people think (we’re looking at you, Katie Hopkins), and a new study has confirmed it – as many as one in five people may have obesity genes that massively influence their appetite. Is obesity genetic?

30 days, 90 recipes, 1 (free) recipe book Get 90 low-carb recipes for a fantastic February. The 30 Day Low Carb Meal Plan has a month’s worth of recipes for all the family so mealtimes are never boring or leave you wanting more. A selection of the lunch ideas: – Peperonata – Quorn Stir Fry – Chicken with Asparagus – Sizzling Chicken Wings – Lemon Glazed Chicken – Summer Vegetable Salad – Bell Pepper and Chicory Salad – Italian Salad – Halloumi Kebabs – Sizzling Lamb Burgers – Chicken and Mushroom Kebabs – Chicken Caesar Salad – Hot Smoked Salmon Salad – Tomato Soup – Mushroom Soup – Sausage and Butter Bean Stew Chicken – Fajita with a Twist – Gluten Free Pizza – Chicken Dippers – Chicken Burgers – Pan Fried Greens with Bacon & Mushrooms – Cheese, Walnut & Avocado Salad Download your free 30 Day Low Carb Meal Plan and get a free app with all the recipes, too. Get 90 recipe ideass with the free 30 Day Low Carb Meal Plan »

Trending on the Diabetes Forum If I have a choice... Hello... Next week I have my pump assessment (insert happy dance here) -- now, I know I have to be assessed n' all - but - if I get approved and *... Find support from 138,059+ people in the Diabetes Community -Artemis- Where do we stand on lemons? Just that really. After a vigorous walk today I really wanted a refreshing drink and wondered if I could still have half a lemon squeezed into a g... Share your experiences with 138,059+ other people in the Diabetes Forum Hedonista

BS readings Diabetes and Toothache ! Low calorie diet for type 2? Secret cure apparently! Eggs and type 2 diabetes Can Type 1 Diabetics eat Chocolate ?! Diabetic and autistic Lantus bad choice if you exercise? Time Zones & Insulin

Hot in the Shop this February Carbs & Cals Pocket Counter The UK's bestselling book provides essential advice on counting the carbs + managing your lifestyle. Clip-on Pedometer Exercise with a pedometer- an effective way to reduce diabetes complications inc. fertility problems. The Diet Plate A healthy lifestyle can help to reduce complications. Control calories + portions with our diet plate. Reverse Your Diabetes Paperback Reverse Your Diabetes provides all the information and support you need to take control of type 2 diabetes and, potentially, to reverse it. Based on the latest research and proven results. Optium Beta Ketone Test Strips Freestyle Optium Beta Ketone Test Strips are used to detect the level of ketones in blood. Save £6.86. GlucoRX Nexus Test Strips 50 x GlucoRX Nexus test strips for use with GlucoRx Nexus.

High and low blood sugar symptoms Spotting high or low blood sugars levels early can prevent the onset of anything really nasty. Here’s what you need to look out for. High and low blood sugar symptoms »

What's hot in the community How to bring down high blood sugar levels Until we get Smart Insulin, we need to know the old-fashioned ways and means of bringing down high glucose levels. Bringing down highs How does diabetes affect the body? Diabetes has all kinds of effects all over the body, quite literally from head to toe – it’s why good blood sugar control is so important. Diabetes and the body Diabetes and ketones The scary stuff. Over time, high blood sugar levels cause ketones to get into the blood, which can lead to a serious complication called diabetic ketoacidosis. Diabetes and ketones

Dracula in charge of the blood bank A report in the British Medical Journal suggests that scientists investigating the role of sugar in our diets are being funded by some of the world’s biggest sugar companies. Unsurprisingly, people are outraged. Who could trust what a scientist has to say about the health effects of Coca-Cola, when they’re the very organisation funding the study? Much controversy has been caused. The scientists argue that the funding doesn’t affect their independence or objectivity, and that there’s nothing wrong with being funded by a company – surely it would be more unethical for them to make claims about their product without having it tested by scientists beforehand? Have a read of and share your thoughts. Can we really trust scientists who are paid by the companies they’re researching? Obesity scientists funded by sugar companies

Visit: Diabetes.co.uk Get in touch: here   Copyright © 2000 - 2015 Diabetes.co.uk, part of Diabetes Digital Media Ltd (company number 07975193). All rights reserved. The red and white circle (logo), it's shadow, Diabetes.co.uk and it's reflection are trademarks of Diabetes Digital Media Ltd. Registered in England. Address: Dot Com House, Broomfield Place, Coventry, CV5 6GY. For help, contact us. We hope you found this message to be useful. This e-mail was sent to [[EMAIL??your email]] by Diabetes.co.uk because you are a valued Diabetes.co.uk community member who opted to receive the newsletter. If you don't want to receive e-mails (please don't leave!) in the future, unsubscribe from it here.