Type 1: Prescription fine

[Robinredbreast]

I have renewed my card for many years. Now 50's .
As type 1 and no cure seems silly lifetime card is not issued. Would surely cut down on administration/ postage.

Hi Heathero, you would think so wouldn't you and when/if a cure comes along, they could just run through the system and delete us all, but that would probably take, 30 people in 16 different departments, plus Fred the security guard and Edna the lovely tea lady too

 

[Scouser58]

Hello to all,,,,,well these cards are still popping up and having to deal with all the extra bureaucracy,,,,
As this post went quiet for a time,,,it would seem the best way to go is to get the card and play safe and have it noted on your pharmacy page,,,,surely having your pharmacist signing your script is defeating the object,,,,you are meant to do this,as it signifies you have taken the drugs,,,,,
Heathero ,,I agree with you about your needing to keep renewing your card,,,,T1's would find this so much more sensible,,,,but the pen pushers do not think of this,,, ttfn from Karen.

 

[SamFergusson]

I'm sorry to hear about the trouble you're having @molivers73 but I am very glad I read this post as I didn't realize it was something that I needed to update etc. I just thought it was something I might of received when I was first diagnosed (in 1995) & that was it! No one has ever questioned or queried it with me. So I will speak to my DSN when I next see her.

Hope you get your issue with it resolved soon

 

[SamFergusson]

For example when registering with a new GP I have to see the nurse before I then get to see the specialists at the hospital etc. The nurse often knows less than I do about T1 so why can't the GP just refer me directly? Sorry to derail the thread a bit but stuff like this annoys me

Hi @Auckland Canary I know exactly how you feel on this one!
I get so frustrated with the process at my GP surgery. I am unable to see my DSN without making an appointment to have a full set of bloods taken 1 week prior, even though my DSN doesn't always use them & it means extra time out of work to get the bloods taken (as they only do them at certain times)
Also a couple of years ago I was seeing a specialist at the hospital & she was great, really understood me & my diabetes etc. But my GP surgery kept telling me I HAD to see the DSN they had there, otherwise they couldn't update my records etc & it could affect my DVLA info etc. So I lost my amazing DSN & now have to see a lady who never even remembers my name let alone what we discussed in my last appointment

 

[Heathero]

Hi Sam you have the right to see who you want via GP it is referred to as 'patient choice' I would encourage you to quote this in writing requesting a referral for care that
is most helpful to you . Good luck

 

[slip]

Thanks for bringing this thread back into the limelight - reminded me I've got to phone them before Friday! I received a penalty notice as on a prescription back in October the wrong box had been ticked - and being a man I'm 100% sure I can't claim for maternity exemption............! Thing was my medical exemption had run out some time ago..........oh by about 20yrs! Funny thing was I think it was the pharmacist who ticked the box and scribbled a signature.

 

[Dark Horse]

From https://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Living_with_diabetes/Free-prescriptions/#fine

"Legally, if you claim for a free prescription and you do not have a medical exemption certificate then you have to pay the cost of the prescription. However, if you apply for a medical exemption certificate within 60 days of receiving the fine, then the penalty charge will be waived."

 

[CollieBoy]

Thanks for bringing this thread back into the limelight - reminded me I've got to phone them before Friday! I received a penalty notice as on a prescription back in October the wrong box had been ticked - and being a man I'm 100% sure I can't claim for maternity exemption............! Thing was my medical exemption had run out some time ago..........oh by about 20yrs! Funny thing was I think it was the pharmacist who ticked the box and scribbled a signature.

I recall one of the guys, who was diagnosed at the same time as me, sent off for his exemption card and back it came, as A MATERNITY EXEMPTION, so the card was photocopied, a replacement ordered and the photocopy displayed on the wall!

 

[Scouser58]

Hi @Auckland Canary I know exactly how you feel on this one!
I get so frustrated with the process at my GP surgery. I am unable to see my DSN without making an appointment to have a full set of bloods taken 1 week prior, even though my DSN doesn't always use them & it means extra time out of work to get the bloods taken (as they only do them at certain times)
Also a couple of years ago I was seeing a specialist at the hospital & she was great, really understood me & my diabetes etc. But my GP surgery kept telling me I HAD to see the DSN they had there, otherwise they couldn't update my records etc & it could affect my DVLA info etc. So I lost my amazing DSN & now have to see a lady who never even remembers my name let alone what we discussed in my last appointment

Hello Sam Fergusson,,,, the dsn i saw was very helpful,,but your surgery seems to be trying to run on the rails,,and not refer you to a more experienced dsn,,,is the one they supply got the right qualifications?,,,as for updating your records,,,if the system of full access then they can,,,your records can be accessed from hospitals, other specialists, clinics, all mine are,,,I think they are just restricting your choice,,and i would not accept a none responsive nurse,,,after all she is supposed to have your details/file details in front of her,,so not knowing your name is very unprofessional to say the least.
As for making you take blood tests every time,,,,this is wasting resources,,as they cost money at the hospital labs,,,,chatting to a dsn who knows their stuff,,is enough to answer some questions,,,,your gp should not be releasing personal medical information to outside agencies even DVLA, without your permission,,,,as your gp should know this,,,they like to quote data protection,,,well this comes under this heading,,,,,,have you considered the primary care group and the practice manager for a complaint?
I don't envoy you having a practice like this,,mine is really daft at times,,,and they get on my nerves,,,I only go when I really have too,,,,,ttfn from Karen.

 

[Nuck]

My local pharmacy went through the same phase. I had to go to the doctors to get the form signed even though I have been going to the same pharmacy ion a village for the last 8 years.

 

[Scouser58]

Hello Nuck,,,the 'rules' they keep quoting really get to you, and then gives you a headache....I was told today to pick a one off script up, asking if the could send it over the chemist I use,,no, it is hard copy so I will have to go and pick it up,,,,,it was not that long ago all scripts were hard copy,,,,and they were sent to the chemist,?!
Hello Sam Fergusson,,,how are you getting on with the things that you were trying to work through?,,,have you got better access to a dsn?,,,,,I have to have some bloods done for an annual check up in a few months,,,,but as it is only every 6 months,,,cannot complain,,,,ttfn from Karen.

 

[cjj]

Hi I have just received a letter saying i have to pay a £96 fine for not having a valid medical exemption certificate. I was diagnosed Type 1 in 1998 and have never paid for prescriptions since. Nobody has ever told me about this. Has anyone else had the same thing and if so what was the outcome?

i've had type 1 for 40yrs and only recently i got one of the exemption cards since reading about this subject in the paper and received it pretty quckly. however, i've never been asked for one ever, assuming the necessary agency realised you are diabetic. but seems not the case with some people.

 

[Silas]

Hi I have just received a letter saying i have to pay a £96 fine for not having a valid medical exemption certificate. I was diagnosed Type 1 in 1998 and have never paid for prescriptions since. Nobody has ever told me about this. Has anyone else had the same thing and if so what was the outcome?

I know it's ridiculous. Once you have type 1 you are type 1 forever (pretty well).

The thing is that you have to apply for an exemption card and renew it ever few years until you are 60 when all your prescriptions are free. I think you should at least have had some feedback from your pharmacist to say that you needed an exemption card. They should not have dispensed your supplies without telling this.

Silas

 

[petepontiac]

All prescriptions free in Wales..you would think England would follow our example.

 

[germansheppard234]

Hi I have been type 1 for 25 years, I may have filled out a form at some time, but tbh I really can't remember. My exemption certificate card gets renewed automatically when it runs out in 2017.
When I tick the box, the pharmacy staff always write my exemption number underneath as proof ( even though we are on first name terms). There are so many fraudsters out there and if we are not paying for prescriptions, we have to show proof of why we are entitled.

Best wishes RRB

Hi I have just received a letter saying i have to pay a £96 fine for not having a valid medical exemption certificate. I was diagnosed Type 1 in 1998 and have never paid for prescriptions since. Nobody has ever told me about this. Has anyone else had the same thing and if so what was the outcome?

 

[Mikey1209]

Why would I eat humble pie if I have never been informed?

Ignorance of the law is no defence in English law. It does state it is a criminal offence to make a fraudulent claim

 

[therower]

@Mikey1209 . Fair point on the law.
At 2yrs and 34 wks since the initial post I doubt molivers73 is likely to respond , but he could prove me wrong I guess.

 

[scorpius14]

i literally asked my GP last year for the form that you need to renew the certificate and he said I don't need it, type 1 is a lifelong incurable disease.

but with the mindset i have now, i now think they're counting on me getting caught without one so they can get their money because its all connected through the NHS. at the moment though i'm fortunate the pharmacy remembers me and probably knows my diabetes from the amount of insulin i get prescribed every month so they know i'm exempt.

 

[therower]

Perhaps it would be better if the NHS ceased to be. That way we could all pay for everything and not have to worry about exemption certificates.
Are we exempt or are we fortunate?

 

[ally1]

i literally asked my GP last year for the form that you need to renew the certificate and he said I don't need it, type 1 is a lifelong incurable disease.

but with the mindset i have now, i now think they're counting on me getting caught without one so they can get their money because its all connected through the NHS. at the moment though i'm fortunate the pharmacy remembers me and probably knows my diabetes from the amount of insulin i get prescribed every month so they know i'm exempt.

I do agree with what you say but personally I do feel it's up to the person to remember to renew their exception card.