Prescription charges increase yet again next month (to £8.40 each), so now's a good time to remind anyone having more than 12 prescriptions over a full year that a PPC (Prepayment Certificate) will save money - and potentially a lot of money.
The 12 month PPC costs just £104, and the 3 month one costs £29.10. And the 12 month PPC will cost just £10.40 a month (for 10 months only) with a direct debit.
IF YOU'RE BUYING JUST 2 ITEMS A MONTH THIS WILL SAVE YOU MONEY - £97.60 A YEAR WITH 2 ITEMS A MONTH, AND ANOTHER £100.80 FOR EACH ADDITIONAL MONTHLY PRESCRIPTION.
ALMOST £300 A YEAR SAVED ON 4 PRESCRIPTIONS A MONTH
Two additional things to remember, though:
1 Certain medical conditions will give you a completely free medical exemption certificate (see below*)
and
2 You can claim back previous prescription costs for up to 3 months after buying the PPC so long as you ask the chemist for and retain the receipt forms FP57.
___________________________________________________________
Did you know you can save money with a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC)?
If you know you’ll have to pay for a lot of NHS prescriptions it may be cheaper to buy a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) – effectively a prescription 'season ticket'. A PPC covers you for all of your own NHS prescriptions, including dental prescriptions, no matter how many items you need. However, this does not include other health costs, for example the provision of wigs and fabric supports which are only provided through the hospital service.There are two PPC options to choose from:
1. A three month PPC costs £29.10 and could save you money if you need more than three prescribed items in three months
2. A 12 month PPC costs £104.00 and could save you money if you need more than 12 prescribed items in a year
How much can I save?
• If you need two items each month you can save over £90 with a 12 month PPC
• If you need three items each month you can save over £190 with a 12 month PPC
• If you need four items each month you can save over £285 with a 12 month PPC
There are several payment options available. If you choose the 12 month PPC, you can pay for this by 10 monthly direct debit instalments.
Please check if you are entitled to free prescriptions before you apply for your PPC.
It's quickest to buy your PPC online. The PPC will start from the day you submit your application, unless you request a different start date. However, the start date must be within one month before or after the date of your application.
If you prefer talking to someone, you can call the PPC order line on 0300 330 1341. Again, your certificate is valid from the day you make the phone call unless you request otherwise.
Ensure you have your bank details or credit/debit card details ready.
Although the PPC is valid from the day of your application it may take a couple of days to receive your certificate. This means, until your PPC arrives you may have to pay for your prescription in advance and ask for a refund afterwards.
You can apply by post as well. Complete and sign your application form and send it with a cheque, postal order or credit/debit card details to:
NHS Help with Health Costs
PPC Issue Office
PO Box 854
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE99 2DE
Print off a PPC application form here or pick one up from your GP surgery or pharmacy.
Some pharmacies may be able to sell you a prescription prepayment certificate. However, you won’t be able to pay via direct debit if you purchase from a pharmacist. Please either contact your local pharmacy or view the list of registered pharmacies on the NHSBSA website (bottom of the page) to find out who is selling PPCs.
Useful tips
Remember to apply for a new PPC in good time, otherwise you will have to pay full prescription charges if your PPC runs out.
If you have to pay for prescriptions while you are waiting for a new PPC and need to apply for a refund, ask the pharmacist for a refund and receipt form (FP57) in order to claim back the costs. You can claim for the refund of prescription charges up to three months after paying. The refund and receipt form (FP57) explains what to do.
If you buy a 12 month PPC by direct debit you are entering a commitment to pay all the instalments. If you use the PPC after failing to pay an instalment you may incur a penalty charge.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
*People with certain medical conditions can get free NHS prescriptions if they hold a valid medical exemption certificate.
You can get all your NHS prescriptions free if you have a valid medical exemption certificate because you have:
a permanent fistula (for example, caecostomy, colostomy, laryngos-tomy 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; or
cancer and are undergoing treatment for:
- cancer;
- the effects of cancer; or,
- the effects of cancer treatment.
You can only get a certificate if you have a condition on the list. If you are not sure about the name of your condition, check with your doctor. Doctors may advise you about free prescriptions. However, it is up to you to find out if you are entitled to an exemption certificate.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Top comments
tomdavidrichards to opaninkofi
20 Mar 16119#7
I'd rather pay the charges
paneds to fireman1
20 Mar 1680#21
then dont go to the drs for silly little grievances that require paracetamol or aspirin
opaninkofi
20 Mar 1645#2
Op, one more note, If you want it free forever, Relocate to Scotland
neoboy
20 Mar 1644#10
In true HUKD spirit I'm expecting a full on argument in this thread about the Scottish referendum, SNP, how England pays for everyone else with a dose of upcoming EU referendum rhetoric and how the immigrants have ruined the NHS of course not to mention the rest of the country.
If anyone has a good deal on pop corn that would be most appreciated.
Latest comments (340)
abimpg
9 Feb 17#340
Hi - Sorry I now I'm a bit lat eto this party but....
I have very low vitamin D and immune system. I have been prescribed Stexerol-D3 - is this the best stuff? it's costing me £8.40 a month! you mentioned a weekly tablet instead of a daily one - what is it called? can I ask my doctor for that instead?
When he prescribed this to me a few weeks ago he told me it was free on the NHS but I've been charged. I feel awful if I don't take it, I get thrush in my mouth and it feels like my tongue may fall off! but when I am taking it I do feel a lot better. Just wanted to know if there is a cheaper solution. As much as I feel the benefits my purse isn't so happy about it!
I don't have prescriptions or medication for anything else so the PPC isn't worth it. Any advice would be hugely appreciated.
SCOUSEKEVIN
19 Jun 16#339
I know taxes are paid throughout the UK, at least by those who cannot afford to pay for tax evasion experts.
I hope all of the UK will do as Scotland has and make prescriptions FREE.
fulous
18 Jun 16#338
you suppose pple in England do not pay taxes?
Newbold
27 Mar 16#337
Asthmatics shouldn't have to pay (though the effective annual maximum is £104) but it's nothing to do with severity. It's entirely down to what originally appeared on the exemptions list - nobody dare add to that list because of the cost, and all the arguments that would follow about what should or should not be added.
BooBoo39
27 Mar 16#336
When enquiring about exemptions from GP cause my fiance has chronic asthma and is on less than 20k a year was told he has to pay due to it not being as severe as diabetes or thyroid disease ect are you effin kidding me last time i checked you kinda gotta breath to stay alive yet fat people can eat their way to diabetes and get free treatment yet my fiance can barely breathe with out 3 inhalers and has been hospitalized for it but thats not as bad and no he does not smoke drink or do drugs and is not over weght also nhs funds many elective surgeries eg ivf breast reduction and enlargement nose jobs this nhs is a joke
Safetar1
27 Mar 161#335
Asthmatics should not have to pay ... #moneygrabbing
smugjojo
26 Mar 16#334
Epiphone cherry sunburst for under 310 delivered at Amazon. ..... AAA mahogany veneer top, probucker 2 and 3 pickups, coil taps.
Excellent guitar for the money. Usually go for around 380 is but most places other than amazon have them for around 420.
Even better deal is the used one without damage (package damage only - one at the bottom of the used section) which can be had for 252... however amazon warehouse have a promo on which means on checkout it reduces to 230..... for essentially a new plus top pro.
t3hfunk3r5 days, 10 hours ago#4
REPLYREPORTLIKEIGNORE
seriously not sure why this isnt getting more heat. Christ the epi 100 for 155 is 10x more heat than this and about 10x worse..... doesnt make sense
Yes, it was all cut and paste. Serious Grammer issues in your previous efforts, old chap. :smiley:.
t3hfunk3r
26 Mar 16#333
T.r.o.l.l.
Not sure why you would waste your time other than you have a lot of it to spare; which makes sense both micro and macro socially..... *smirk*
smugjojo
26 Mar 16#332
Is this a cut and paste?
t3hfunk3r
26 Mar 16#331
Some folk can string together more than a single sentence; even so far as to present a logical arguement with sprinkles of secular Moral Ethics and reasoning.
Not eveyone writes and thinks at a 9 year old level.
Poo face.
smugjojo
26 Mar 16#330
Is this a cut n paste?
77andyb
26 Mar 16#329
Agree with a lot of this, but I've come across / worked with plenty of pharmacists who will take back medicines being returned, take the label off and stick it back on the shelf to dispense again, as long as it's in date. Not safe as they have no idea how they've been stored, but it's a quick way to get paid twice for dispensing the same thing!
t3hfunk3r
26 Mar 16#328
I live in Scotland, I benefit from no prescription charges, and I believe that there should be.
Its strange how after 12 years of government education some folk dont understand that there is no such thing as a free lunch. All things must be accounted for, all things must be paid for. Government is not a magic entity that can cast a spell and bring into existence tangible assets; and when it does it with "cash" what you get is inflation and a "bill of sale" to the government exchanging benefits in the here and now for the future labour of your children.
Of course, those that cannot see past their consumer based socialist programming will cry foul; I would expect nothing less. Such statements however do not change the facts, and as with science, the facts dont care about your feelings.
It is an untenable situation to not preclude acess to public services unless there is a direct need. Going to the doctor because you have a cold is not only a waste of your time, but also the doctors and all tax payers money. Hence, charging for doctors visits and prescription would go some way to stopping some of this. These charges should apply to everyone regardless of your employment status; Ive yet to see or meet anyone not on benefits that cannot afford to smoke, drink, buy toys/presents for the kids. If you want both, do what every other responsible person does; retrain, get a job you hate, that pays a meager salary, and suck it up. The ONLY groups that should be protected from such charges are means tested elderly users and all users incapable of looking after themselves (ie the severely mentally ill); the only reason I Would exclude these groups from charges are the risk factors inherent within their very being, and not some intangible philosophical illogical positioning the left likes to assert.
smugjojo
25 Mar 16#327
Zzzzzz. Exit stage left.
me_lee
25 Mar 16#326
Nice way to try and divert from you being wrong. But you're right about one thing this is tedious... I'm off and as one of the members of today's 'entitled' culture, you should feel free to carry on spouting.your nonsense.
smugjojo
25 Mar 16#325
Incorrect again. Bzzzzzzz - that is a Bee. Zzzzzz was nodding off - falling asleep responding to your tedious going on and on and on. Sorry, am i interrupting you?. I love me, I love me, nobody else just little old, me. Sung to the tune of 'Jobsworth'.
Newbold
24 Mar 16#324
I'm English - well I prefer to say British actually, but I have to say that you Scots get things right rather more than we do down here. Better education, certainly, and an infinitely higher standard of politician than the dross we're stuck with. Were it not for your weather (and the midges), I'd be emigrating to Scotland!
Down here, since wrecker Thatcher, we've been stuck with the low tax mentality/myth. We think that low taxes are good - and forget that we have to pay out 10 times more than any tax saved in car repairs (potholes), healthcare, social care and pretty much everything else that's no longer provided by central or local government, thanks to Tory cuts.
Soukmadik
24 Mar 161#323
OK I'm Scottish, but I have to point out the obvious. Don't the people in England see the bigger picture, that the rest of the UK don't pay for prescriptions,further education and water.
Don't you pay enough tax on your fuel,takeaways, alcohol, tobacco and your wages/salary.
Why are you voting this hot ?,you should be incensed.
me_lee
24 Mar 16#322
Nicely patronising thanks. Well done for turning into a bee at the end as well.
Methinks I'm in a slightly better position to know how it works than you are though...
smugjojo
24 Mar 16#321
Including you?
anthony69
24 Mar 161#320
Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah in this thread. Geez some people go on.
Its a hot deal, end of. That's all that matter!
Thanks OP!
Mr cool
24 Mar 161#319
Omg! Some people have to much time to waste.
lilbeastie
24 Mar 16#318
The pharmacy get 90p/item for dispensing most items - again where is that £10 cost coming from? I can't find anything that comes close to that figure (I believe the average cost for a paracetamol-based prescription is about £3.50 according to a relatively recent newspaper article on the costs based on a FOI request - again that includes more expensive forms of the drug than plain tablets).
So I'll repeat - don't spout crap as facts unless you can back them up.
smugjojo
24 Mar 16#317
Methinks you have grasped the wrong end of the stick, chappie or chappess.
One is entitled to speak or see a Doctor on the day you call. You do not have to explain anything to a receptionist as it is confidential between patient and Doccie. Think it goes without saying that trivial problems usually sort themselves out and common sense should prevail from you as part of your duty to look after your own health. However, if you have a long standing chronic condition, that becomes acute, you have a right to see or speak to a Doctor the day you call. Zzzzzzzzzz......
bargainbill
23 Mar 16#316
I'd stand up for truth, backed by evidence. I've come to my conclusions based on a complete lack of evidence that the NHS has ever worked well, or spent money wisely. Yes it prevents people from dying, and it's far better than nothing at all but other countries do significantly better.
With respect to France being better because it spends more money, 2 things to note.
1. French private healthcare spending is twice of that the UK as a proportion of GDP (ie socialist country encouraging private spending)
2.France spends 28% more on healthcare as a % of GDP compared to the UK (11.7% vs 9.1%) and yet they have (all per 1000 population)
- 115% more hospital beds than the UK
- 49% more MRI scans per than the UK
- 93% more CT scans than the UK
I don't know if more scans = better care. All I do is take the OECD and WHO healthcare analysis which rates France the best or one of the best, and then go back through the data and see what they do that we don't.
It costs double for a 10 minute GP appointment on the NHS compared to France.
You might not like Guiliani, what he said was true. Dismissing it is dismissing truth in favour of idealogy.
US healthcare is broken, but it's worth looking at why their cancer survival rates for uninsured citizens are better than the NHS.
me_lee
23 Mar 16#315
Wow, that's a skewed view - you only seem interested in evidence that confirms your point of view, dismissing the rest as poor quality (e.g. a 'busted flush'). Confirmation bias at work?
What a shock that Republican Mayor Guiliani wanted to dismiss the NHS while Democrat Obama was pushing for a more NHS like system of healthcare. If you think this is evidence you're really scraping the bottom of the barrel.
You also can not compare raw cost figures between totally separate economies. There are complex markets at work. Just because something costs the equivalent of £1 in France doesn't mean it's going to cost £1 anywhere else in the world even if that other place were to put similar systems in place.
The OECD have France as one of the top 10 health spenders. Certainly they spend a significantly higher proportion of their GDP on healthcare than us. I'm sure if the NHS had a similar proportion then outcomes would improve from what are already respectable levels - it's not rocket science that if you spend more you get more.
I also have concerns about the accessibility of French healthcare for the worst off in society. It's not terrible but it's by no means as good as ours.
As for the NHS being unreformable... Primary care governance alone has been torn apart and rebuilt from scratch 5 times within my relatively short NHS career. Given that a new entity takes time to start functioning at its most efficient, they just get to the point where things are working well and along comes the next governments 'reform'... rinse and repeat.
What the NHS needs is to be is depoliticised so we can focus on helping patients - to stop wasting money, time and effort chasing clinically pointless targets just because something takes the current health ministers fancy, people like the current idiot who actually believes in homoeopathy. Seriously, the guy actually believes in magic medicine :confused:
We are wasting vast amounts of money on 'leaders' pet projects. Money that could be spent on useful things like better cancer care or mental health services for young people.
telboy69
23 Mar 16#314
great value,been doing mine for 2 years now.
bargainbill
23 Mar 16#313
Ideally, you'd only scan ill people.
In reality, when you look at the data in countries where the health system scans more people per 1000 and has more doctor visits per 1000 people live longer, and get over disease better.
Back in 2010 in the USA you were more likely to survive cancer as an uninsured citizen (the ones we're told are left to die on the street) than you were getting cancer treatment in the NHS.
Mayor rudolph giuliani came to the UK and once proclaimed how he was more likely to be dead had he have been born in the UK due to the state of our cancer treatment.
Regardless of all of that, just looking at the relative cost per scan, and cost per GP visit you can see that the NHS is allocating resources poorly. Our scans and GP visits cost us a lot more than France.
As for Cuba, their healthcare is good but France does significantly better in terms of both life expectancy (82 france vs 78 cuba vs 81 UK) and infant mortality (3.28 france vs 4.63 cuba vs 4.38 uk for ref).
You might not like the reforms, but the reason the NHS is unreformable is because on one side you have a bunch of people blindly wanting to privatise it and on the other side a bunch of people blindly defending something for the sake of not wanting to privatise it and claiming we're all going to die every time a change is suggested.
The sensible approach is to look to countries of similar GDP, population size and education levels and see who does it better and how they do it.
France consistently ranks high/best in all surveys, why not do what they do? Rather than blocking everything I think that's a sensible suggestion, but it must be acknowledged they charge for GP appointments and prescriptions so it's simply not the case that charging = bad healthcare.
We also need to seriously look at why getting treatment on the NHS costs so much more than France (on a per treatment basis) rather than just throwing more money at it.
It might just be that when the user is paying something, and they have a choice of providers that the whole system becomes more accountable and competitive.
You're also less likely to find yourself in a situation where the government has to decide what a fair contract is. IF you have many providers then there is competition on the contract side. Providers issuing unfair contracts are avoided by doctors and doctors who want too much money are not employed.
me_lee
23 Mar 16#312
If you're that dissatisfied but don't want to consider legal action you could think about contacting the health ombudsman who can make financial awards in some circumstances.
Mistakes happen, anyone / anywhere can make errors. What a reasonable member of the public looks for is acknowledgement of the problem, an explanation (sometimes this is all people are after) and, if appropriate, an apology and remedial action. If it's a significant error likely to reoccur it should be discussed at a special type of practice meeting (sometimes called a significant event or significant untoward incident meeting) and practices will sometimes share the outcomes with you if it is helpful.
sdutton007
23 Mar 16#311
In fairness, my complaint that was removed was probably libellious - it referenced their breaches of the Data Protection Act and the Access to Medical Reports Act. The NHS wouldn't do anything about it and a lawsuit would just have cost me money.
The surgery has since threatened to take legal action against me due to a review on a different site but they soon stopped when I sent them a list of everything they had done wrong, including the relevant sections of the acts mentioned above that had been breached.
jomay
23 Mar 16#310
I'll try to get my GP to give me more than 2 months worth of prescriptions. It is not about safe dosages, as I am getting 1/2 the max dosage of either tablet. Anti-hypertensive drugs are also pretty safe as far as I know.
And thanks for your good wishes. Fortunately high blood pressure isn't really a bad illness, it just needs to be treated. It doesn't hurt, is easily treatable without many side effects and the biggest risk is to suffer a stroke earlier if it is not treated properly.
gonzo02
22 Mar 16#309
Another indirect tax on those that have to pay. Free prescriptions if you don't work.........
me_lee
22 Mar 16#308
Just wondering why more scans and more consultations per 1000 population = better? Surely the best thing is to scan / see the right people rather than as many people as possible?
bigpappa
22 Mar 16#307
I have looked at the data and citing MRI scans as being reflective of money well spent is highly debatable metric. As to truth and enlightenment I am not against the French system but I am against the idiotic reforms and marketisation fetish for the NHS. The idea that competition improves performance depends on the structure and regulation which is absent in these reforms.
So please tell me how yourself and UKIP intend to make the healthcare better in the UK?
bargainbill
22 Mar 16#306
You might not like adam smith, but the OECD did the study and produced the quote I gave.
Go and read the commonwealth study data you cited and then tell me exactly what the NHS does well and what it does badly, then go and read the detailed OECD report and cite the same data.
In particular look at MRI and CT scans per 1000 population of France compared to UK, and number of GP consultations per 1000. You'll see they get far more scans and GP visits for their money in France - ie more money and going to the right places.
I voted UKIP, not that it's particularly relevant to the pursuit of truth and enlightenment.
me_lee
22 Mar 16#305
I'm not interested in bringing in extra income. I'm interested in having the right number of doctors and nurses for the patient list size and being the best.
Don't get me wrong, I'm going to make sure we tick along financially but taking on a load of patients who haven't been well looked after is far from money spinning.
me_lee
22 Mar 16#304
Which is why I said if you have the choice...
NHS choices post both negative and positive comments - I should know, we've had both. Practices can apply to the moderator to remove unfair comments and slanderous or libellous stuff is not permitted but the moderator is very strict. I managed to get a one star review removed from ours because it was criticising the local hospital rather than the surgery but failed to get another, from a known serial complainer, removed as even though I knew the content was untrue I couldn't provide evidence. It's irritating as when you only have 2 or 3 reviews a 1 star review can kill your rating.
To prove they don't screen all negative comments this is the first example I came to on NHS choices from a random practice:
This practice is a joke. You never see the Dr to which you are actually a patient of. The nurse works 4 days a week which doesn't give us full time workers easy enough access to be able to make an appointment. The reception staff are absolutely ridiculous. They are I'll mannered, rude and quite frankly a let down to the whole team. Attitude toward both the patient inside and over the telephone.
I dread every time I need to make an appointment. The whole surgery got nicely done up not so long ago but instead of looking into the building refurbishment I think they should be taking a closer look to the team in which they work with!
However, the data I was referring to in my post was not the reviews but the stuff from the GP national survey which has a much larger sample size and is not so subjective. It asks questions about how quickly you can get an appointment, is it easy to get through on the phone, what is your overall level of satisfaction and would you recommend this practice to a friend or family member. If your practice scores badly and another scores well I think you can safely assume you will get a better experience if you move.
the_bart123
22 Mar 16#303
Just come to us and we will love You :smiley:
bigpappa
22 Mar 16#302
I have read that link - adam smith institute is a busted flush it espouses free market ideology but is happy to take government grants. It's full of ideological rubbish.
The current system being implemented by the tories and under labour is diabolical it is the worst of both worlds. From your leanings I suspect you voted for the conservatives?
sdutton007
22 Mar 16#301
It's not as simple as just going to another surgery - not all of us have multiple surgeries nearby. And if you went through all of the trouble to switch to a surgery further away, are you going to get better treatment?
Also, be aware that the NHS choices website actively screens the reviews and makes sure nothing gets posted that they don't agree with so that many of the negative reviews never get shown! Disgusting behaviour, if you ask me!
sdutton007
22 Mar 16#300
Do some simple research - you'll see how wrong you are!
mrew42
22 Mar 16#299
Not stating it as a fact, just suggesting what he may be scared of......
the_bart123
22 Mar 16#298
do you say - there are no other shops in Scotland?
bargainbill
22 Mar 16#297
The commonwealth study is widely regarded as being at best flawed, and at worst purposefully biased. I recommend doing some reading on it. You dig into the numbers and you soon realise all of the metrics the NHS does well on are handholding and all of the metrics it does badly on are outcomes.
The US system is terrible, it's an example of how not to set the system up. It isn't actually competitive at all due to it's structure.
The French system is incredible. Instead if a single provider they have managed to regulate it, with the state providing most of the funding but with different levels of provision with different providers depending on what treatment you need.
There are 3 levels of GP in France, all of which charge, but they charge varying amounts.
A 10 minute visit to a GP in France costs whoever is paying HALF of what it does on the NHS.
Take a look at the OECD data, that's regarded as the best source.
"The OECD’s analysis: “The quantity and quality of health care services (in the UK) remain lower than the OECD average while compensation levels are higher. Reinforcing competitive pressures on providers could help mitigate price pressures, e.g. by increasing user choice further and reforming compensation systems.”"
bigpappa
22 Mar 16#296
Upto a point. The Surgery with the long waiting times is actively reducing patient numbers and many surgeries cannot just expand as they dont own their own buildings and are paying exorbitant rent. Also many of the GP's are not businessmen and really are just happy to deal with patients than thinking about expanding their services and bringing in extra income.
Fatal Exception
22 Mar 16#295
Oh wow. This thread is hilarious.
me_lee
22 Mar 16#294
I can only speak for my surgery (other than the statistic I quoted which is nationally, 1 in 5 patients wait 1 week or more for an appointment).
My original point, condensed down a bit, is that some surgeries are good and some are poor - if you're at a poor one, and there is local choice available, vote with your feet. We're ranked #1 of 28 local surgeries so we may not be typical but I would welcome the patients of surgery #28 to join us - more patients = more funding = more doctors and nurses = more services.
eatmybogbrush
22 Mar 16#293
Why do the Scotts always bang on about inventing the TV.......BS did you actually research this.... it was an American and a German that invented the Cathode ray and the Scott stole the idea....so no you Scotts did not invent TV you stole it lol
bigpappa
22 Mar 16#292
It all depends on workload. Some surgeries they can give you non urgent appt next day or within a few weeks. On the extreme end one surgery it's usually 2 or 3 weeks if it's non urgent. This is no anecdotal these arwc facts as I know people who work at the surgeries. Both are professional surgeries one is in a area covering a highly populated area the other further out of town.
Newbold
22 Mar 16#291
You're right. Sadly, it isn't.
People with certain medical conditions can get free NHS prescriptions if they hold a valid medical exemption certificate.
You can get all your NHS prescriptions free if you have a valid medical exemption certificate because you have:
a permanent fistula (for example, caecostomy, colostomy, laryngos-tomy 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; or
cancer and are undergoing treatment for:
- cancer;
- the effects of cancer; or,
- the effects of cancer treatment.
You can only get a certificate if you have a condition on the list. If you are not sure about the name of your condition, check with your doctor. Doctors may advise you about free prescriptions. However, it is up to you to find out if you are entitled to an exemption certificate.
me_lee
22 Mar 16#290
"section bluff of the panic act"? That's a new one on me.
I can't speak for other surgeries, only mine...
You seem to have a chip on your shoulder about GP receptionists. They are working on behalf of the doctors and asking you structured questions the doctors have asked them to in order to make sure your appointment is with the right person, in the right place and for the correct length of time. If you see that as them being a "busy body"... then that is your problem. My (9) receptionists are all polite, they know that if a patient complains I will be listening back to the call and there are serious consequences if they are rude.
Receptionists can and do refuse access. Good luck ignoring mine - they will not put you in to a doctor for an urgent appointment if you refuse to disclose anything. If you're really stroppy then you'll get a call back from a nurse to triage your call. Receptionists are trained people in a skilled job working on behalf of the doctors, partly using standard operating procedure but often on direct instructions. You seem to be under the misapprehension they are making it up as they go along. It works both ways as well - they are just as likely to make you an urgent appointment if you ask for a routine one but you disclose any of the red flag symptoms or conditions they are trained to spot.
If they do let something inappropriate through and the on-call doctor notices there's an abuse of the urgent system in their on-call list they will tell the receptionist to cancel the appointment, phone back the patient and arrange for them to be seen routinely.
Bearing in mind that in my surgery if you are happy to see any doctor the longest you will wait is the next working day, recent examples of refusals I've seen when the patient says it's urgent:
- "I've had a bad back for 4 weeks and it's not getting better so I need an appointment today"
- "I've shaved my bikini-line and now it's red and itchy"
- "I've run out of (paracetamol / ibuprofen / calpol / antihistamines / viagra) because I didn't order them in time"
- "I've got a spot that appeared this morning"
- "I woke up this morning with a sore throat and a runny nose - I think I have the flu"
- (From a known drug abuser/dealer) "I've 'lost' my diazepam" (for the 99th time)...
- "I need a sick note" x 999
- "I have toothache"
Doctors need ways of keeping urgent appointments for things that are truly urgent and that involves asking questions and signposting. People who think they can just rock up with a trivial problem or self-limiting condition and expect instant service just because they demand it are what's killing the NHS, and are certainly part of the reason why some people can't get an appointment within a reasonable time.
bognorgirl
22 Mar 16#289
Really? That would be great. Always thought CF wasn't on the exemption list!
bigpappa
22 Mar 161#288
The nonsense is coming from you. I dont like PFI full stop , it was a diabolical policy under labour but what have the Tories done to rectify it - nothing. So they must agree with it.
The NHS ranks no1. It seems you cannot see past good policy only ideology.
I don't support either party.
Do you even know what the meaning of competition is? I think you just use the term. What is important is how resources which are finite are allocated to produce the greatest welfare which can be via a market system or by the state. So tell me where the market system and competition has helped the US?
Geemac
22 Mar 16#287
We would have if we cut the foreign aid budget and stopped interfering in other countries :smirk:
DOCnPharm
22 Mar 16#286
She is entitled to a medical exemption card. Ask your GP. They will fill out a form and get the NHS to grant it.
If you need any further information do not hesitate to get in touch with me.
Splodger101
22 Mar 16#285
2-3 week wait for appointment, with any doctor at our surgery. Same at other surgeries under Leics PCT. Two GPs retired last year from the surgery, and now having problems finding replacements ...this 7-day working malarky will only make things worse.
smugjojo
22 Mar 161#284
No the receptionist can try to fob you off but they cannot refuse your right to speak to a Doctor who must see you or call you back that day. It may not be your own Doctor but it must be a qualified GP. You do not even have to disclose to anyone why you need to see a Doctor that includes the busy body receptionist. They might use section bluff of the panic act on you but you can ignore them. I have done several times. In all cases i was instantly referred straight to Hospital. Be polite, not rude.
bognorgirl
22 Mar 16#283
Thanks for this. My daughter has Cystic Fibrosis and takes over 50 tablets a day to stay alive. She leaves education this year so will have to pay for her medicines. This will save her a fortune.
me_lee
22 Mar 16#282
Statistically, 1 in 5 wait 1 week+ for a routine appointment (contractually, urgent should be same or next day).
If you're waiting 3 weeks+ find a better surgery, they'll soon buck their ideas up if there is a mass exodus of patients and their income plummets.
My surgery offers same day for urgent and same day or next day to see "any" doctor. If you want a specific doctor it just depends on how booked up they are (and if they are part-time) but it's usually 3-5 working days. Early morning, evening and Saturday appointments are available as well as telephone consultations.
I appreciate that this is a particularly good service and realise that not everyone has a choice (e.g. rural areas) but it always astounds me that many people would rather moan than just go somewhere better. The NHS choices or GP national survey websites will tell you how satisfied the patients at any surgery in your area are with waiting times and telephone access (and a lot of other stuff).
edit: Oh, and they can (and do) refuse you a same day appointment if it's for ridiculous reasons.
smugjojo
22 Mar 16#281
Thats because under the NHS charter you can talk to or see a Doctor on the day you call. They cannot refuse you.
Painterz1
20 Mar 1613#19
You guys in Englandshire should really think about voting for a political party that will give you free prescriptions, instead of the screw-the-poor-Tories.
Besford to Painterz1
20 Mar 169#27
Nothing is free - just paid for a different way (and by someone else)! The concept of 'government money' is one of the many fallacies of socialism.
bargainbill to Painterz1
20 Mar 163#112
Rather than spout rubbish, why not take a look at France, not only a socialist country but also time and again recognised as the best health service in the world.
In socialist France, home of the best healthcare on planet earth...
1. Visits to the GP are charged to the patient (in part at least)
2. Prescriptions are charged to the patient (on a sliding scale depending on how essential they are deemed to be)
Of course, in the UK if we tried that everyone would die immediately according the left wing geniuses who contracted GP's in on twice the remuneration that French GP's get.
alexc100 to Painterz1
21 Mar 16#144
It was Labour who introduced paid prescriptions in the first place.
MarkDW to Painterz1
21 Mar 16#159
Such as?
1lluminati to Painterz1
22 Mar 16#280
Yeah, make everything free! Because we have unlimited money right?
jnigel26
22 Mar 16#279
France has the world's best healthcare? I think not. You may be surprised but it's CUBA ! They have some of the best health professionals in the world.
You know all this recent arguing over money here about Meningitis B vaccine, well blow me down Cuba developed the VA-MENGOC-BC vaccine in the 80s and it proved safe, effective and worked! The UN even awarded them an honour for it. Read about it here? Like hell. I had a friend die in his teens from MenB. It f. grates on me to think in Cuba he would have survived, a country littered with the poor and an embargo from the US for half a century. But don't let that get in the way of politicians here telling you we are the first country to have the vaccine. The health pros here even tell lies about the Cuban vaccine being not compatible with what we need. **** me, we haven't even got enough supplies. We are not even confident it will be effective or safe. No, because here it's about big pharma and of course the ££££s first, health second.
I remember when prescriptions were free, then they introduced the 20p charge. F. me, it's now £8.40. NHS, free at the point of entry... where the f. is the point of entry, the car park? Well, last time I went I had to pay! Envy of the world? It was once, no longer. It's a f. joke!
muz379
21 Mar 16#278
Depends what the charity does with this shortfall between the cost of the car lease and what it receives in benefits . Remembering that some cars only require you to sacrifice part of your pip mobility entitlement as well .
As for the new VS used thing . This can be true but in other cases it can be cheaper to lease a brand new car over a set period returning it at the end vs the costs associated with a nearly new . Reliability figures only mean so much luck is obviously also part of it when running a fleet of cars out of warranty . It is obviously easier for the charity to manage a fleet of new cars through the dealer distribution network they have chosen to operate through .
France has the worlds best healthcare, it's a socialist country and healthcare there is pay at point of use.
Open your eyes and acknowledge the way the worlds best healthcare works.
It works because despite being largely public funded they don't have a single provider, they have competition.
Also although they spend more as a proportion of GDP than we do, almost all of the difference is privately funded.
Agent004
21 Mar 16#276
Very good post, a timely reminder how to save money. Deserves all the heat it's getting and more added from me :smile:
365pizza
21 Mar 161#275
Yeh Yeh. Ive heard it before. A big boy did it and ran away.
DOCnPharm
21 Mar 16#274
Oh I missed:
- taking alcohol with any pain relief is a major issue. Paracetamol, not so much but ok.
DOCnPharm
21 Mar 16#273
Please, your sources. Journal articles if you would.
NICE guidance in addition to WHO guidance are quite clear that paracetamol is a perfect analgesic. Great therapeutic index.
For someone in chronic pain, I will be choosing paracetamol any day in comparison to the likes of Tramadol or any other opioids.
Paracetamol has been and will remain as the base for stepwise treatment for years to come. Let me know when you find a suitable alternative...
Paracetamol when used at the stated dose of TWO FOUR times a day is safe both in terms of this "kidney damage" which isn't even an issues at the stated dose.
Increases your chance of heart disease? Please. Show me the articles.
ScottishIndependence2018
21 Mar 16#272
Look duttondoughnuts 007.5, what an original username wow!!! :smirk: you still playing cowboys and Indians in the back yard, by yourself (defo u got to be a oddjob loner) hurry up now your mummy is shouting on you, Breastfeeding time again :laughing:
Zontes
21 Mar 16#271
No. They are both scumbags, but the fenian team have more recent form with their IRA chants. Scotland's shame, both of them. Sooner they feck aff tae England the better for us up here in Bonny Scotland. Supporters of every other team in Scotland hate both of these teams, and the baggage they perpetuate. Problem is, the English FA also know this so we are stuck with them!
DOCnPharm
21 Mar 16#270
£7.59 for a pack of 30 capsules.
DOCnPharm
21 Mar 16#269
BNF prices are just a guide for prescribers to look at. Although I have never really known why they put the prices in there since every trust gets it for a different price? Either way I digress, they've removed the extensive prices from the latest BNF.
I prescribe what the trust has a deal on, which is pretty much all of the medicines. Most medicines can be obtained as a generic anyway which are practically peanuts compared to certain brands.
Fultium at one time was a really expensive brand, now the NHS will only pay the same price as HuxD3 (£2-£4). Treatment of vitamin D deficiency is as a matter of fact really cheap and has so many benefits to the patient.
Vitamin D deficient patients tend to develop a number of conditions, mostly skeletal issues. Although by ensuring they have an adequate level, we save millions of we didn't treat it and instead treated the issues related to the deficiency.
ScottishIndependence2018
21 Mar 16#268
Being a Gers fan i travelled down to Manchester with my mates like thousands did for the 2008 UEFA Cup Final against Zenit Saint Petersburg and we didn't take part in the disgusting behaviour witnessed, and the site we were at, the massive screen conked out causing complete mayhem to put it bluntly, the Police had no chance whatsoever and they have very short police in Manchester as well :confused:, no chance against the crowd, but what i will say we got talking to a few Manchester guys before it kick-off (some wearing Rangers Scarfs, probably ponced/bought off someone or found them) who were bent on stirring up trouble and wanted to buy my mates UEFA Final T-Shirt off him and i will always remember this one being an fn **** winding up the police at the side of the entrance, eventually we left then the riots kicked-off, we done the toes and guess what, walking down the street the numpties appeared again and put a brick through a restaurant window where people were sitting having a meal, Rangers fans, i mean genuine Rangers fans probably got the blame, there's two sides to a story, and yes there was fans drinking all day in the scorching heat even all the shops/supermarkets ran out of booze, all day drinking then kick-off not until later in the evening, and the large screen conking out, it was going to happen whatever team was there that day,The End
sdutton007
21 Mar 161#267
Sorry, I don't speak the "racist moron" language.
365pizza
21 Mar 161#266
Rest your case where you like though I'd be interested to know why you as a Scot are even posting in a thread about something that ONLY affects the English. Other than being a keyboard warrior of course.
Anyway, in response to your remarks, I'll just drop these in here. Not sure what the relevance of even bringing them up, but since you have.
Racists, both sides have their fair share,but you's defo are the worst racists people on earth (not all), you's are trouble with a capital "T"
holiday's, following your team home or abroad, always fighting, falling about, let you's off the lead and you's are big news on the telly, let me think for a sec the english you's drink your cheap carling fight, can't handle your booze, act like babies and go in to mourning for a week when you's get beat, Boo-Hoo
(we laugh our socks off up here, get a fn life) trash pubs, fight in shopping centres with mums and kids about, you's fight anywhere, well try more handbag stuff lol
Don't see the Scots on the telly doing this, that's why every country i and my fellow countrymen have visited we are greeted with open arms or they say you english once we tell them no Scottish the relief on their face is a picture, i rest my case, so don't come on here spouting we are racists when clearly your comment is ba heed :smirk:
ScottishIndependence2018
21 Mar 16#264
OIL!!! simple as Simon, and the water is fine and dandy, hence we ship down gallons of the stuff to england, but not being one to suggest anything on-towards but the people who voted to stay as one nation are now regretting it, the next time it will happen, and it's nout to do with english people like some might think on here having a bit of banter, but it's the tories they are on another planet they don't care about you unless your fn rich and giving them a nice big fat cheque towards their party, we don't want anything to do with them, they don't know us to rule Scotland, we've had it with them, and not forgetting that evil cockroach Thatcher using my country first as Guinea pigs for the Poll-Tax, and your problems with the miners strike the way these hard working guys were treated, the list goes on ppl :man:
sdutton007
21 Mar 16#263
So you believe people shouldn't be allowed Freedom of Speech?
bossyboots
21 Mar 16#262
The absolute state of some in this thread :laughing: keyboard warriors. You just know if they met face to face they would be totally different!!
sdutton007
21 Mar 16#261
Actually, we don't mind giving out charity to those who can't fend for themselves - mostly Africa, Syria and Scotland :wink:
Also, I don't begrudge giving you Scots a bit extra - there's got to be SOME benefit to living there :smiley:
Maybe we should build a wall to stop you racists from ruining our country!
365pizza
21 Mar 16#260
But more importantly for someone like you, we can stock up with lots of supermarket bevvie deals, while you weep into your tenants special brew. That's gotta hurt far more than throwing a spanner.
ScottishIndependence2018
21 Mar 161#259
Got to agree, that we can change things down south by voting against you's, but you's can't do diddly squat up here
that's got to hurt big time,(like a good swift kick in the chuckies we think) and there's nout you's can do about it, strange old world eh!!!
Us Scots we do love a wee laugh throwing the spanner in that old falling down parliament buildings works Hehehe :innocent:
365pizza
21 Mar 161#258
No. It makes both countries weaker. However the cost to keep the union by bribing the Scots as they've done is too far, Once we leave the EU, hopefully that will end also. Never thought I'd want that, but I certainly do now.
ScottishIndependence2018
21 Mar 161#257
Lol ok i'll try and speak more Scottish and normal english grammar from now on, there i done it, i think i will buy a Donner Kebab wae the works, sorry i mean with salad and sauce please, i was thinking of a Domino pizza but you've hurt my Scottish humour now :stuck_out_tongue:
alexc100
21 Mar 16#256
Wellllll.... It's swings and roundabouts really. The Conservatives saved our country from going bust but ruined the NHS. Labour bankrupt our country but saved the NHS! Britain under labour clearly wasn't sustainable though.
mjunaid106
21 Mar 161#255
Lol, I wonder why UK specially England didn't want Scotland to go for independence. Just a question? England should have let Scotland to go away. This would have surely made England stronger?
sdutton007
21 Mar 161#254
Why is it that every Scotsman moves to England but tells everyone how great Scotland is :wink:
And would Scotland be so great if the English didn't subsidise you? Or if you weren't allowed to have your cake and eat it too? (i.e. how you can vote on English issues but the English can't vote on yours)
365pizza
21 Mar 162#253
I believe its etiquette to use English when posting. Maybe come back when your sober.
ScottishIndependence2018
21 Mar 16#252
It's all in the slang but a spiffing good old jolly laugh my boy har-har :stuck_out_tongue:
Mr cool
21 Mar 16#243
Oh l thought we pay in England because we are rich and the other little countries we look after have no money?!
ScottishIndependence2018 to Mr cool
21 Mar 161#251
so yer rich mr cool ba's, don't thinks so or you wouldnae be on here trying to find a wee bargain noo
lets see we have oil, you's have em!!! you's have em!!! buy one drink get 5 free, you's are also wae behind us when it comes to wearing the best clobber as well, Primark defo do a killing doon yer neck of the woods lol, lycra city, wae the female wildlife mingers falling oot the pubs, seems tae make great TV as well, as never aff the box, :smirk:
Mr cool
21 Mar 16#250
Eh ...Hello these word's you use, "wae" and "rembr". What do they mean ? Thank you.
365pizza
21 Mar 16#249
Can you let me know what part of London that Glasgow is? I'm not familiar with that suburb. So you moved from Scotland where you lived for 10 years and migrated to London to get a job? Im assuming you are older than 10, so where did you live prior to that?
Im guessing these rude Londoners you've met have something to do with you rubbing them up the wrong way by reminding them the higher taxes pay for your freebies? Or are still clinging to the BS that North Sea Oil which at $30 a barrel is capable of paying for it. Straight face answers only please. :laughing:
sdutton007
21 Mar 16#248
Actually paracetamol is known to be dangerous with long-term use. It damages your kidneys as well as increasing the chances of heart disease.
Experts recommend that you shouldn't have more than about 300g/year - that's less than 1 dose a day!
Also, paracetamol has a huge number of drug interactions - one of the worst being ALCOHOL - even a glass of wine can react badly with taking paracetamol. Doing this repeatedly will destroy your kidneys.
ScottishIndependence2018
21 Mar 16#247
You rather pay the greedy tory government for prescription would you, em ok buddy whatever you say, go grow a pair.
Lambs to the slaughter comes in to mind here folks, you's poor english take it all the time, paying for everthing, reason why we have so many students up here using our free college/uni's that's your english tory gov charge your Sons &Daughters, yeh! they looking after you's, NO their taking the **** and you's do nout about it :smirk:
a think i'll go have a nice wee pub lunch doon at the local tomorrow wae my £8.40 and rembr you when i'm enjoying it :laughing:
sdutton007
21 Mar 16#246
For at least the cheaper cars in the scheme, there is no discount seen - which implies the charity keeps the money which would seem to be the opposite of a charity.
I've seen places that lease used cars but in general a used car including repair costs is far cheaper than a new car... particularly if they choose reliable manufacturers.
And those with motability have breakdown cover so it's really not an issue.
skyarsenal
21 Mar 161#245
im on benifits (thumbs up ,:wink: )
bigpappa
21 Mar 16#244
Of course as I mentioned them also - read my last line. I am only for good economic policies not political policies to feed the whim of politicians, their funders or lobbyists.
Look at Osbourne cannot defend his own budget in Parliament, shows the character of the man and his party.
jayrichy
21 Mar 16#242
I've had Diabetes 2 for 7 years now with all my limbs,my last eye check said perfect..I also get free viagra ..Only those that carry on living like pigs suffer. Show some control & you'll even outlive the average Scot.
Geemac
21 Mar 162#241
Would that be Labour's NHS PFI schemes :smirk:
toonsquirel
21 Mar 16#240
They also get charged delivery per item and things like white mix that u only maybe get the one can cost £10 - £20 with all the charges. I save about £50 a month with my gluten free stuff but the nhs get charged £100s, also things like tescos 25p cornflakes are gluten free but since there not officially gluten free the nhs pays more than 10x that for the stuff they use..
Geemac
21 Mar 16#239
Ask your GP about repeat dispensing.
jhw
20 Mar 168#8
Better still - don't take unnecessary medication. I've not used anything in years - whether healthy or not.
ATCQ to jhw
21 Mar 16#238
I don't think this is aimed at people taking unnecessary medication anyway. I have to take meds daily so it helps a lot.
mjunaid106
21 Mar 16#237
You shouldn't have mentioned it on a public forum if not prepared to defend/discuss your point.
Anyways, I was only asking since I recently moved from Scotland to England (London). While you are comparing people, I would rate people in England specially in London very rude. Having lived in Scotland for almost 10 years, I can assure that majority of people in Scotland are very nice and caring. Even with terrible weather, they are smiling.
In Scotland you have following advantages:
- Free first degree
- Free prescription
- Free eye test
- Much less waiting times in hospitals and better care.
- No parking charge at hospitals
- Minor ailment service (which is England is only provided by certain areas)
- 24 hours supermarkets are actually opened 24 hours even on the weekends
PS: I only moved to England because of work.
365pizza
21 Mar 161#236
I"m very happy to live in England. Why is it of any concern of yours? Scotland has lovely scenery but beyond that not a great deal going for it. I find Scots particularly aggressive and rude as well. No doubt one of the reasons they brought in the supermarket drink laws.
bigpappa
21 Mar 16#235
Don't worry we will have the worst health service under the Torys. Idiotic PFI schemes where a £65m build hospital costs £760m to payback. Virgin will be providing GP services with uninterested drs and nurses at costs way more than what the NHS pays now and it will be called great value.
Keep politicians and privateers away from the health service. The free market should be kept to areas where it works not applying it everywhere in a fetishistic and ideological way. Tories and New labour were all about marketisation for ideological reasons than anything remotely resembling a sound economic policy.
mrew42
21 Mar 16#234
As a Londoner I can quite clearly state that whatever is misconstrued as being spent to keep us happy, it aint working.
mrew42
21 Mar 16#233
Deep fried everything?
neillydoo109
21 Mar 16#232
I'd rather you would as well
fwd079
21 Mar 16#231
Heat added but I wish no one gets very ill.
ttttd
21 Mar 16#230
I meant £10 pack of HuxD3 20kIU but it won't let me edit it.
mjunaid106
21 Mar 16#229
and why is that?
Qazar
21 Mar 16#228
I always ask the pharmacist how much 2 buy it over the coumter,
ttttd
21 Mar 16#227
I always thought that all the brands listed on the BNF were what is licensed and what should be used. In that case I'm not even sure what the point of that entire section is and if that's all it really costs the NHS then I'll concede.
Yes I am aware how and why D3 has an incredibly long half life, no need tell me to "probably read a book". The flaw in my argument was working from the prices in the BNF, to which the kinetics are irrelevant because you would still (hypothetically) be paying 20kIU/£.
Also how big is that £20 pack of HuxD3 10kIU?
shylander
20 Mar 168#39
If you actually educate yourself then you'd know that the UK runs a deficit.....so borrows money from somewhere. Your ignorance would be justified if there wasn't a deficit and Scotland hadn't been a Net Tax contributer since records began. Scotland raises more money than all regions except London and the South East
Stop reading the Daily Mail
Besford to shylander
20 Mar 161#44
Not at $30 a barrel it doesn't!
365pizza to shylander
20 Mar 16#50
Stop believing your fishy politicians who think oil is $150 a barrel.
Well said- I'm afraid reasoned and objective political thinking is a bit ,shall we say ,limited on here judging by some of the posts!
opaninkofi
20 Mar 1645#2
Op, one more note, If you want it free forever, Relocate to Scotland
tomdavidrichards to opaninkofi
20 Mar 16119#7
I'd rather pay the charges
365pizza to opaninkofi
20 Mar 169#16
I'd rather pay for prescriptions and University fees than do that if I'm honest.
smugjojo to opaninkofi
21 Mar 16#145
I get mine free in England. One day I might even get 'The badge of courage' for vehicular parking. :sunglasses:
OrribleHarry to opaninkofi
21 Mar 16#170
Forever you say?
Dougal1709 to opaninkofi
21 Mar 163#225
Not free forever. Free until they get their independence and can only use money they generate themselves.
craigefoster
21 Mar 16#223
as a illegal immigrant can i get this?
callagc to craigefoster
21 Mar 161#224
come to scotland...we will sort you out
callagc
21 Mar 16#222
i think you will find that we chose to spend our money on people...not wasting it on Boris and friends to keep Londoners happy
neoboy
20 Mar 1644#10
In true HUKD spirit I'm expecting a full on argument in this thread about the Scottish referendum, SNP, how England pays for everyone else with a dose of upcoming EU referendum rhetoric and how the immigrants have ruined the NHS of course not to mention the rest of the country.
If anyone has a good deal on pop corn that would be most appreciated.
fireman1 to neoboy
20 Mar 162#12
Get your popcorn in quick.
The Eu referendum is sure to push the price of it up.
I obviously don't know this for sure but I'm scared it might happen so on that basis I vote to stay in!
callagc to neoboy
21 Mar 16#221
i agree , living in Scotland is where its at
TAZMANUK
20 Mar 16#33
only england effect whilst wales scotland and Ireland don't pay so basically we are funding there medication
and not only that if you have a reaction to the meds no way of a refund or next prescription halve price oh no just full price again.
all bloody wrong this get wales scotland Ireland paying again and maybe nhs wont be so badly hit.
Zontes to TAZMANUK
20 Mar 1639#38
Glad I live in Scotland where we have an education system. Your spelling and grammar, shocking. You are also extremely ignorant of the facts. Politics, obviously something of a mystery to you.
Thistleno1 to TAZMANUK
21 Mar 16#187
Except the NHS is devolved in each of these places, so any money from prescriptions there would go back to our own NHS, not to England's.
glaslyn to TAZMANUK
21 Mar 161#220
While Wales, Scotland and N.Ireland pay for England's Motorway network, fast train networks, Olympics, 'National' monuments and museums, immigrants playing the system in softly run English local authorities etc etc. Can't have it both ways.
samk20
21 Mar 161#219
I remember going to 3 different walk in centres and having to pay 3lot of prescriptions because the doctors didn't know what was up with me ,then it took a genius I only had gastro! . a lot of money spent because they got it wrong . it should be free if the doctors get it wrong the first time !
morocco1
21 Mar 16#218
Sorry to hear about your illness. From your point of view it makes sense for you to be extended (at least) the same measures from your GP if there's an understanding that you're going to be on the pills for life? It may have something to do with the safe dosages of the medicine? For instance I'm on a fairly low dosage but I've heard of people being as much as 8x higher, which allows my GP to write out a prescription for a specified number of tablets which will last me three months.
eripmav
21 Mar 16#217
I use the pre-paid for my Sumatriptan injections, I really couldn't afford 3-4 prescriptions a month, every month otherwise.
DOCnPharm
21 Mar 16#216
Apologies I've just seen the price it's 4.76£ a pack of 20 in amazon. 20k UI. The pack on prescription will be cheaper
DOCnPharm
21 Mar 16#215
Ps I forgot to mention. The maintenance therapy is not usually even used. 1 high dose capsule a week is fine for people who have extremely low levels
DOCnPharm
21 Mar 16#214
Yeah I'm certain.
I prescribe HuxD3 20k UI per capsule. The BNF is essentially a guide price. The NHS would be bankrupt 30 times over if they were paying the price stated in there! As far as I am aware as of two weeks ago, pharmacies pay around £10 as a max for huxD3 and the NHS reimbursement is around £12?
There is reason I prescribe generic as I save a fortune off my budget. I'd be in a lot of trouble if I was prescribing that brand. Far too expensive.
I've been a GP for 5 years now and worked as a pharmacist for 2 years and generally tend to do a few Locum shifts here and there to keep my license.
DOCnPharm
21 Mar 16#213
You should probably read a book. There are products which I prescribe that only need 1 capsule to be taken a week. 1 prescription charge for a 6 month supply. Treating that particular deficiency is a bargain in comparison.
Besford
21 Mar 16#173
Vitamin D is often another waste of NHS resources. A growing number of people (usually from ethnic minorities) are deficient in vitamin D through a combination of inheritance (they evolved to live in hot, sunny climates) and a cultural need to cover up their bodies, thus missing the little sunshine we have here. This can be resolved through a combination of diet/lifestyle and possibly cheap over the counter vitamin tabs yet doctors are prescribing medications for this avoidable condition.
DOCnPharm to Besford
21 Mar 16#203
You are joking right?
There is not enough sunlight normally for people. This is just made even worse for people with darker skin tones. They need a heck of a lot of sunlight to get the UV light required to produce enough Vitamin D.
The supplements are something that is essential. It cannot be "fixed" by spending more time in the sun, we don't have enough sunlight to do that! The strengths of Vit D in OTC supplements is borderline useless to treat a medical deficiency.
Completely unavoidable.
Also how do you know that doing all of the things you suggested will fix the issues of the so called "avoidable condition"?
I have patients who are of fair skin and require vitamin D as they have a lack of it.
greazedlightning to Besford
21 Mar 16#208
If deficiency is found, high doses of Vit D is given to boost the levels. Low doses will not be absorbed or be effective. The high dose tablets are available only through prescription.
It is incorrect to say this affects mainly ethnic minorities or darker shades of the skin. Get your facts right.
ttttd to Besford
21 Mar 16#212
Agreed about it being a waste of resources, but for a different reason. Vitamin D is a paradox - expensive prescription only formulations of a reliable OTC product.
Are you sure about that regarding the strength of OTC supplements? A quick check for colecalciferol in the BNF shows that the best value tablets are Fultium-D3 at 30x20kIU for £29. That's about 20kIU per £ and that's also only for early stages; the cost goes up moving to the lower 800IU tabs for maintenance.
The OTC brand I use, Dr's Best, is 180x2kIU for around a tenner depending. That's 36kIU per £.
What I've found actually is that OTC supplements tend to be too highly dosed rather than underdosed. 5kIU tabs agitate me and give me headaches. 3k and 5k are the standard doses in OTC D3 supplements.
GinGinnyGin
21 Mar 16#211
I got charged $145 to call a doctor out when taken ill while on 'holiday' in S. America and another $98 for a packet of antibiotics that would have cost £1.21. I for one am very grateful we have an NHS. It's in the interests of the drugs companies that we are ill. 50% of us will apparently get cancer, bet the Drugs companies are rubbing their hands in glee about the profits they will make on our treatment. No wonder the NHS is struggling. This is a good deal if you pay and need prescriptions. Voted hot.
hennaoj
21 Mar 16#210
The pharmacy gets charged £15 for 6 loaves of gluten free bread. I've had the receipts left in the boxes a few times. It costs £3 for a loaf of vaguely edible gluten free bread in a supermarket. My eldest son and I have coeliac diease, making this costly enough with the prescriptions.
Toonah
21 Mar 16#209
Great deal for those who need it, "luckily" (well, in terms of monies) I'm just under £104 a year for my 2 meds every two months. But if you get more, woo
londonstinks
21 Mar 16#206
Must..not...commmenntt..argghhhhh!!!
jomay to londonstinks
21 Mar 161#207
...get a prescription prepayment, go to your doctor and get medicated for your
...compulsive obsessive disorder! :wink:
mcfatty
21 Mar 16#205
the prescription charge is a payment towards the cost of the NHS and not payment for the actual drugs dispensed
DOCnPharm
21 Mar 16#204
France is better than the UK NHS? I disagree in terms of principals. There are many issues with their health service provision as it stands. As with every other profession that has gone private to an extent, it has priced people out of healthcare.
Or if it's completely private, you'll be waiting months for the national health service. You cannot have it both ways realistically. Either way someone is going to lose out.
Please provide your source, as France in general has enough issues with their referrals to specialist care. We have a three month waiting for a specialist but either way it's better than the 6 months certain general practices take in France.
You'd wonder why they take six months and more in some cases? Their specialist get paid peanuts compared to other countries.
Frizzel
21 Mar 16#202
Wrecked. Nothing annoys me more than hypochondriacs who waste a doctor's time with trivial issues which amount to nothing. And if you are one those types, just be happy you are only having to pay £8.60 thanks to having a socialised healthcare system instead of getting bent over and having your anus demolished like the americans.
yrreb88
21 Mar 161#201
I believe the conservatives introduced prescription charges in 1952.
Frizzel
21 Mar 16#200
Wrecked. Nothing annoys me more than hypochondriacs who waste a doctor's time with trivial issues which amount to nothing. And if you are one those types, just be happy you are only having to pay £8.60 thanks to having a socialised healthcare system instead of getting bent over and having your anus demolished like the americans.
RealBargainHunter
21 Mar 16#136
Such a price for a box of placebos!
DOCnPharm to RealBargainHunter
21 Mar 16#199
If they're placebos why do people who take 100 in one go die of severe hepatic impairment?
Besford
21 Mar 161#198
And the (private) pharmacy processes it for nothing? What public minded citizens they are!
jomay
21 Mar 16#197
Yeah, I never quite understood the logic why some disorders are considered chronic and others not.
Even if you get DLA you are not entitled to free meds. At that point it is very likely that you have a (chronic) long-term condition that requires medication.
I guess the interesting bit is how to structure the system to minimise waste and leave no one behind. In some sense: give everyone in need money for the prepayment certificate - but if they save on drugs they get to keep some/all of that money?
DOCnPharm
21 Mar 16#196
Paracetamol is step 1 for most pain issues followed by adding in an opiate pain killer. It's part of guidance that you build up using paracetamol as the base. You'll see many elderly patients being prescribed paracetamol, codeine and morphine. You can't get rid of paracetamol as the evidence shows that it's really helpful.
Long term use of paracetamol when used at the stated doses two to be taken four times a day, it's fine.
Ps there are hardly any interactions with paracetamol hence to the base used for pain management.
Believe it or not, paracetamol has very few side effects and is great at aiding pain relief. For example giving paracetamol suspension to kids to lower a temperature. It's quite safe to use.
The other things on prescription are generally on there as they can have bad side effects
joetootell
21 Mar 16#195
I wish i didn't have to pay the £10.40 a month but being a massive sufferer of hives it's a life saver.
DOCnPharm
21 Mar 16#194
What they went in the back and gave you a 100 pack of tablets? If they did clearly your pharmacist has no regard for the law. 100 pack size are not licensed without a prescription. They're effectively POM
joetootell
21 Mar 16#166
i pay the 10.40 and it saves me £20ish a month.
jomay to joetootell
21 Mar 16#193
TBH, I'm happy that I cannot compete with your savings. :wink:
fireman1
21 Mar 16#192
Well maybe see how your employer feels about you taking 3 weeks off to recover because you didn't want to waste the doctors time speeding up recovery. Aside from the fact that they will also be asking for that docs note to prove you were ill enough to be off over a week.
So either waste time getting better slightly quicker or waste time asking for a note! Either way the choice is not really yours if you are employed.
bargainbill
21 Mar 16#191
France is better than the NHS, I'm not suggesting no healthcare. I'm suggesting that we copy France as their model works.
That means paying something for the GP and also paying something for prescriptions as well as spending a significant amount more on private healthcare than we do in the UK.
Did you know for example that, in actual cost paid (by taxpayer + customer), a 10 minute GP appointment in France costs half of a 10 minute NHS GP appointment?
jomay
21 Mar 16#190
To my knowledge the max a GP can do is a 2 months prescription. I'm on 2x blood pressure pills for a couple of years already and I will be for the rest of my life. Nevertheless the GP won't prescribe me more than 2 months.
I did manage to get then all aligned to the same date - which saves a lot of trips to the pharmacy.
mistermoneysaver
21 Mar 16#189
I would jump at this if A I was a regular user or B didn't live in Wales
Spam101
21 Mar 16#188
I have a medical exception card, COLD!!!1!
ohdearohdear
21 Mar 161#186
I used to work a GP's surgery and I saw the same. So many people requested paracetamol for prescriptions. Then our DRs told everyone that they could not get it anymore. Same with E45 cream. OK, it is more expensive than paracetamol but still...
stave84
21 Mar 16#185
Its in breach of prescribing guidelines though. Meds management team would have a fit.
fireman1
20 Mar 168#9
Good old NHS.
£8.40 for a packet of 12p paracetamol.
£16.80 if you need 12p aspirin to go with it.
FleetFanatic to fireman1
20 Mar 169#17
The other half worked in a chemist. You'll be surprised how many of those who get free prescriptions would actually rather go to the doctors than pay pennies for paracetamol or aspirin. Another example of this messed up country.
paneds to fireman1
20 Mar 1680#21
then dont go to the drs for silly little grievances that require paracetamol or aspirin
mdekq007 to fireman1
20 Mar 168#25
£8.40 for 30 caps of £4000 lenolidamide is pretty good though.
pehaw to fireman1
20 Mar 162#81
So spend 24p and buy it yourself.
ziggy999 to fireman1
20 Mar 162#85
Who would go to the Doctors for something so trivial you only need Paracetamol to cure it? It takes a week to get an appointment, I would go to poundland and get 3 boxes for a quid. Much quicker.
israr7862013 to fireman1
21 Mar 16#140
Tbf most pharmacists will tell you to buy over the counter for them
therealclaireh to fireman1
21 Mar 16#142
The paracetamol's or ibuprofens etc. you might get on prescription come in larger strengths and quantities than you can buy OTC as some of these painkillers can affect the stomach you have to take something that lines the stomach too to protect from the problems they can cause makes these pre-pays good value for money.
snowsgreen to fireman1
21 Mar 16#147
So go buy it for 24p then. It's the same stuff. Do you know how much a 12p paracetamol dispense actually costs the NHS? £10. So all these people who are happy to get free prescriptions of the stuff rather than paying 12p at the shops are one of the main reasons the charge has gone up.
RuudBullit to fireman1
21 Mar 16#149
to be fair, our gp always tells us if the prescription can be bought over the counter for less
magrawal to fireman1
21 Mar 161#165
This 'NHS' which has been referred above looks out of this world, definitely not English 'NHS'. Doctors never issue prescriptions for these generic off the shelf available medicines, and even if they do, the individual has to apply the commercial sense and logic to not use it and have the same medicine at nothing price....can't understand what's the fuss??
stave84 to fireman1
21 Mar 16#184
We don't. Or at least a lot of us don't. I refuse to prescribe anything available OTC in appropriate quantities unless its more than the prescription charge. Lots of people try to abuse the system. In fairness very rarely asked these days. Maybe once or twice in the last year.
bigpappa
21 Mar 161#183
Tory have privatised Education and the NHS is nearly already there. It is the worst of both worlds as you cannot legally not pay as its paid through taxation and then private companies will provide the services without the pressure of competition its a licence to print money like the Train operators. They have removed the competitive nature of the free market and replaced with a one based on cushy contracts and the absence of competition but paid by the tax payer.
Its PFI all over on an even grander scale. Britain was destroyed not from without but from within. You voted these tories in and the kicker is that Osbourne growth plans for the economy are dependent on 150k net migration a year. So all those who voted for the Tories because they thought they were tough on immigration should go look at what the Tories really are doing. Well done.
The Tories want the taxpayer to be a class of people free from assets and be a renter of resources and assets from a select few. Welcome to the Renty economy where you wont own anything, control anything but your damn sure going to pay for it.
jordanc93
21 Mar 16#182
I agree I hate these people who say it is costing the nhs loads more than it would at the supermarket missleading people with false facts. If the supermarket can sell them for 20p i dowt the NHS will be paying much more and as you say the nhs will be buying in bigger packs and in bulk.
Danieloplata
21 Mar 163#181
I'm happy to pay £8.40 for my £6 nasal spray when it means that somewhere, someone is getting their £4k of drugs for the same price. One day the shoe might be on the other foot. I'd rather not end up like the USA where stuff like cancer goes hand in hand with bankruptcy for poorer folk.
linziwoo
21 Mar 16#180
Or have an overactive like mine and have to pay
lilbeastie
21 Mar 16#179
Got a source for that £10 cost? Was it Facebook by any chance? Because the NHS drug tariffs don't back that up. The NHS does pay a little more than 12p a packet, but it's also usually dispensing either much higher numbers of tablets or much more expensive forms of the drug than you get for 12p in the shops.
Don't just post crap passed off as facts.
DealAway
21 Mar 161#157
Another top tip for reducing Prescription charges. I need medicine monthly for which I was getting charged 12 x £8.20 =£98.40. I was going to buy an annual Prescription but spoke to my doctor and told him I could not afford it. He now makes my Prescription out to last 3 months and at the chemist I still only get charged the single £8.20 fee. Now all I have to pay annually is 4 x £8.20= £32.80 saving £65.60
morocco1 to DealAway
21 Mar 16#178
If you're on long-term medication for pain relief or mental illness, that's definitely the way to go. My GP has always been happy to prescribe my anti-depressants for three months at a time as it saves us both hassle and me money.
ourdevonfamily
21 Mar 16#177
Cheap drugs....
morocco1
21 Mar 16#176
I'm English and agree with everything you said.
kimmiebay
21 Mar 16#172
Just thought i'd mention that Parkinson's Disease medication, which is essential for a sufferer in order to function properly, is not free - unlike medication for other chronic conditions. My mum has had Parkinson's since 43 and has to pay for her medication. She can afford it, but there must be some who are fortunate enough not to be on benefits but are lumbered with taking a cocktail of drugs for potentially 30 odd years, just so that they can walk, who wonder where they will find that kind of money. There are plenty of chronic conditions that are simply inconvenient (I won't name them) but the sufferers get free prescriptions. When my mum's medication wears off suddenly, she has the be pushed home (literally! I'm not kidding) by my stepdad. One day she'll be out on her own... goodness knows what will happen.
Thanks for the info OP.
Besford to kimmiebay
21 Mar 161#175
The rules on what does and what does not entitle someone to free prescriptions are way out of date but successive governments have failed to bring them up to date. Similarly an entitlement to one 'free' medication for a chronic condition entitles that patient to all medications free. Don't look for logic - there isn't any.
morocco1
21 Mar 16#174
There's a woman I know who has a brand-new Motability car on account of her husband being disabled; she uses it to go off all over the place while the poor bloke is stuck indoors because he can't go anywhere on his own. She's an utter scab. I'd imagine that the beef with them is that there's no assessment of what the vehicle is actually used for.
Besford
21 Mar 16#171
Bit of a logic gap there! Anyway, yes they do, often because they get 'beaten up' by their patients. Same reason they prescribe antibiotics when they shouldn't and that has far more serious consequences for mankind.
caverncity
21 Mar 16#169
to save me going through all the posts to see if already mentioned I will mention it anyway (well its mentioned briefly in the OP). If you in term find you dont need the medication anymore and cancel the direct debit you will be billed for the remaining year. I came off mine with approx. 7mths left after renewing my 12mth PPC but still had to pay the DD.
johnnyd57uk
21 Mar 16#168
Probably already been said but the 3 month prepayment card is the best choice. Your Doctor is allowed to prescribe a maximum of 2 months supply at a time so if your on regular prescriptions eg asthma inhalers etc you can put in your repeat prescription as regular as your Surgery will allow. Dont over do it. This way you can get enough stock to last you 5/6 months. You only need to buy your 3 month card every 5 to 6 months saving you far more. I did since prepayment cards were first introduced and it saved me a fortune. I was miffed tho as I had a chronic condition and had to pay for my meds.
MR GUS
21 Mar 16#167
Unfortunately many folk are simply clueless as to how to make a cheap cold & flu type dose from a couple of cheap generics / & / or a bit of common sense (like a coffee, tea, ..or even energy drink ..dammit).
& advertising does it's "bit" to cajole us into their hands, ..although I'm really missing contac, slow release very effective,damn those meth-head types & politicians, ..I can't even buy a ruddy eye wash (optrex type thing) without getting the 3rd degree! ...we go through a fair bit of the stuff, dusty loft with glassfibre etc, as well as "other things"
chuckies27
21 Mar 16#164
I appreciate that meds alone won't get the claim. I do not claim myself (I have been told by many I should, but to me work helps to distract me from the pain). Yes I had gone through a similar journey although perhaps slightly quicker than yourself. They tried everything with me - I was physically trembling with pain and had lost 3 stones in 4 months. Eventually saw a consultant who put me on a cocktail of drugs MST, cocodamol 30/500, lyrica and another 4. Suffered chronic pain since 22 with 2 knackered discs then following an accident a further 2 disc (all lumber) pretty much shattered. It did take 3 months to get an appt with the pain consultant- and that was an emergency referral (hence my point on money could be better spent if people did not waste so much getting tablets they don't need)
iibdii
21 Mar 16#163
what prescription charges? never had to pay any???
jude7219
21 Mar 161#162
Me too. In fact the doctor was full of glee when he imparted that information to me. Softens all the rest of the crap up a little bit.
jayrichy
21 Mar 16#160
Diabeties 2..easy to get ...just eat like a pig..then it's all free...including 6 monthly check-ups & eye tests.
Newbold to jayrichy
21 Mar 16#161
Complete with loss of limbs and blindness. Some bargain.
muz379
21 Mar 161#158
The only reason that motability is enough to lease a brand new car every 3 years with tyres and service included is because the charity negotiates big discounts with car manufacturers and service centres .
Maybe it would be better to lease 3 -4 year old cars although I do not know many places that will do personal leases on cars of this age . The other issues with 3-4 year old cars is that most of them will also be out of warranty which means any major work that crops up will have to be paid for by the charity . So maybe in the long run having a load of 3-4 year old cars would not be a good idea for the charity financially .
I too work full time and drive a 10 year old car (could probably stretch to brand new leasing if I wanted especially with some of the cheap leases out there these days ) But the difference between me and someone in need of motability is if my car breaks down one morning I can find alternative means of getting to work like walking down to the train station or the bus stop . Sure I might be late but if my car is broken down I am going to be late anyway .For this reason a car is less of a priority for me . If someone on motability has their car break down , that might make their journey to work or the Dr or their regular pain management clinic impossible .
tightwadsulike650
20 Mar 162#62
I've never heard of waiting Three weeks for an appointment at a GPs,maybe that person has requested a certain doctor,but it's same day almost without exception where I live.
MikeLondon to tightwadsulike650
20 Mar 16#63
Let me guess you don't live in London?
sdutton007 to tightwadsulike650
20 Mar 161#71
Perhaps I should have made it more clear - it is 3 weeks for a normal appointment. If it's really urgent, you can normally get one the same/next day.
It's not good for the people who actually need appointments :disappointed:
graann to tightwadsulike650
21 Mar 161#156
Just waited three weeks for an appointment to see ANY doctor , never seen my own doctor ,ever.
Burnham On Sea Somerset
KermitGrenade
21 Mar 161#155
The sheeple really do dance to their masters tune, ignore how the few stash away trillions with the help of the Government and concentrate on the 'scroungers'. Just keep swallowing the media bullsh*t paste laced with scopolamine.
me_lee
21 Mar 16#154
Pharmacists should really do this as well (GP's don't always know what stuff costs OTC).
Newbold
21 Mar 16#153
Thanks - though I'm stunned that this has proved in any way controversial! It's just a straight moneysaving reminder. Incredible, isn't it, the way HUKD has developed into one of the UK's best forums for wide-ranging arguments? All credit to the mods for the light touch too - MSE mods have muzzled it. :wink:
me_lee
21 Mar 16#152
Paracetamol on prescription is stronger? Nonsense.
If ibuprofen affects your stomach it does so whether it's bought or prescribed, and usually whatever dose you take. Under these circumstances it's not a great idea to take it long-term anyway unless you like the idea of a gastric bleed.
In the short-term (for example post surgery or post injury), some people take tablets to reduce the amount of stomach acid they produce so they can tolerate this and similar drugs. This is known as 'gastro-protection'.
'Lining' your stomach is only possible with something like gaviscon or pepto bismol.
fairenough786
21 Mar 16#151
....Hello guys, am new'ish here...
Say i signed up today (for 3 months) for the prepayment certificate....
1) how many precriptions can i put in in those 3 month, is there a limit ?
2) I have a prescription of 7 days ago which i still havent put in yet, i mean not got the meds yet, will i be able to use that as well with this prepayment certificate which i am about to sign up for ?
thank you All......
juggler1
21 Mar 16#150
Op- I do so love your controversial threads :smiley: heat added, I got a 3 month one, saved me a packet. A good reminder, thanks
Newbold
21 Mar 16#148
It was also Labour that introduced the NHS - left to the Tories there wouldn't be an NHS at all. And it's heading that way again now, thanks to the usual Conservative underfunding of the NHS.
eaglewolf
21 Mar 161#146
This is what people voted for in the last two elections! More people voted Tory than anyone else, and now the Tories are going to destroy the NHS. Just wait until everyone has to buy heathcare insurance from private companies, which is what the Tories want. Tory ideology = pay for medical care, or die.
jordanc93
21 Mar 16#143
Motability Operations who run the scheme on behalf of the Motability charity actually make a profit! After 3 years you return the car and they sell it or you can buy it off them. They negoitaite big discounts with car manufactures and have in the past managed to get a 3% profit return on cars that have been provided meaning a 25 Million pound donation going to the motability charity, so not exactley a waste of money when it generates a profit. Some of the discounts they get from manufactures can be over £10,000 and I believe Motability Operations don't have to pay any Vat on the cars. New changes also mean you can't get a car over £25,000 and those that do cost near to that limit will require you to make an upfront additional one off payment of up to £2000 on top of your weekly mobility allowance.
mp2611
21 Mar 16#141
I've decided not to get sick anymore, it's beginning to cost too much.
SCOUSEKEVIN
20 Mar 161#15
Ye cannae beat FREE, but its not really, paid for through Taxes.
mtuk1 to SCOUSEKEVIN
21 Mar 16#139
Yep. English taxpayers.
AdamMCG97
21 Mar 161#135
There are a lot of people giving opinions and information on issues that are commonly criticised across England/UK, some of them contrasting. I find myself wanting to be educated on these issues but struggling to find reliable sources of information. to use. It would be beneficial if the government could provide easily digestible, impartial, data driven reports on key issues and government spending, especially benefits and the NHS. It can't be very expensive and may go some way to help voters educate themselves if they want to, especially young voters such as myself. Unless there is a source like this that I'm not aware of?
Data is everything.
sdutton007 to AdamMCG97
21 Mar 161#138
I completely agree - I've often wondered why we aren't given impartial independent information on how our tax money is spent and other issues.
I have heard - although it does sound a bit of a conspiracy theory - that the government doesn't want us to be "too educated" and that keeping us fighting amongst ourselves on issues like benefits, race, immigration, etc keeps us from realising that the government is the real problem...
There's certainly an element of truth in it, but I believe there's probably a lot more to it. And let's face facts: there are a huge number of problems with the government that need to be addressed but that's not going to happen overnight :disappointed:
chuckies27
20 Mar 16#46
I live in Scotland, chronic pain sufferer and thankfully in a job where I can still work despite my condition. I would still rather pay for my prescriptions if it meant getting better NHS services (pain clinic access etc). There is also so many people getting repeat prescriptions who end up wasting more than they use - particularly older people who get their repeats ordered automatically and delivered- there will be plenty others who waste repeat prescriptions. Personally I only order when I'm almost out of me medication.
I have also read that SOME people keep ordering medication as its all part of keeping their DLA claims! I was even told by one person they get a prescription for a very strong opiod which they never take - this apparently looks good on their claim form. That is disgusting behaviour IMO.
Zontes to chuckies27
20 Mar 164#49
Looks like a repeat post. Are you also a repeat prescription person?
Only joking. Your point about the DLA parasites rings very true. I worked in this field prior to retirement. If David Cameron sought advice from people like me who have years of experience of working with the professional fraudsters the deficit could be wiped out much sooner. DLA must be the most abused benefit, without doubt. Motability cars parked in disabled spaces, what a joke. Each car costs the tax payer so much money, it is a disgrace.
Besford to chuckies27
20 Mar 16#51
Yep - it's happening all the time but try doing anything about it and all the leftie screamers appear.
I'm aware of a local nursing home which throws out all remaining meds every month and orders fresh - because it makes admin easier! Make something free and it loses its value. My small, local CCG reckons well over a £million is wasted every year in this area alone but attempts to address it are politically very sensitive.
Reigan to chuckies27
21 Mar 161#137
I have ankylosing spondylitis and let me give you some anecdotal evidence which you wont find in the paper.
1) Before I was even offered tramadol they trailed me on weaker pain meds, DMARD and NSAID all with their own beautiful side effects this process was over year and a half.
2) Tramadol or other opioids for that matter is last resort for most people, I take co-codamol 30/500 and when its not enough I top up with tramadol this is on top of my other meds.
3) I get 90 tabs per prescription and this will last me a while because I don't want to be addicted to it there is a reason why its a class c drug.
4)Last week when my father went to get my prescription for tramadol and he was told I needed to see my GP because my last prescription was just before Christmas.
5)So this means I either get tramadol on a regular basis or visit the GP often spoilers this costs money also.
6) meds alone wont get you welfare sorry to say and if you claim it yourself you should know this.
The system itself is **** and binary.
also I forgot to say I am now on buprenorphine transdermal patches.
sdutton007
21 Mar 16#134
I hadn't realised that - which is the reason I asked!
It does raise the question though that if the mobility allowance is enough to lease a brand new car every three years, is that a good use of taxpayer's money? Of course they should be able to get around, but many people I know including myself drive round in 8-20 year old cars despite working 40+ hour weeks... doesn't seem fair on the face of it. Perhaps a fairer system would be enough to lease a 3-5 year old car and a fuel allowance? Just an idea of the top of my head...
Also, I believe a normal lease doesn't include insurance, breakdown cover or replacement tyres? I don't know the average costs, but that might account for the raw deal you mention.
therealslimkaty
21 Mar 16#133
Thank Christ.
johnpage83
21 Mar 16#132
Thank god for the SNP
DOCnPharm
20 Mar 16#114
Just to address the comments about "oh just buy a pack from B&M for 16p" etc.
You get 16 tablets. You need to take 1-2 four times a day for people with chronic pain according to the world health organisation pain ladder. That's two days supply, or if you get the maximum 2 packs they're legally allowed to sell to you...you have a four day supply.
Now you try forcing an elderly patient who is in chronic pain to get their paracetamol themselves. They generally get 100-200 tablets at a time in order to ensure they have an adequate supply.
Even in a pharmacy, the maximum them can sell you is 100...but with that there are tons of questions that are asked and generally a pharmacist will refuse sale as an overdose of paracetamol is quite bad
muz379 to DOCnPharm
20 Mar 16#127
Can get 100 no problem from a pharmacist . Sure they ask questions but as long as you have a genuine reason there is no reason they will deny the sale . Ive bought 100 once before for for an ill elderly relative they sold me them no problem after asking me 2 questions 1)are they for you 2)what is the condition the patient is suffering from . This is no excuse for getting the state to provide something that is less than a penny a tablet for free .
sdutton007 to DOCnPharm
21 Mar 16#131
Considering how dangerous paracetamol is with long-term use, overdoses and drug interactions... shouldn't these patients be on something better/safer at treating chronic pain? I'm obviously not an expert, but would imagine there were other options available on prescription?
sdutton007
21 Mar 16#130
Not at all. I've simply got no time for pathetic trolls that have nothing to contribute other than insulting people without any reason whatsoever.
Just go troll elsewhere!
Gazfaz
20 Mar 16#90
Just tick one of the exemption boxes on the back of the prescription to get it FREE! Nobody checks them, believe me. It's a national scandal which may one day be revealed but until then....fill yer boots!
Newbold to Gazfaz
20 Mar 164#104
Believe me, they do get checked. And when you've got a fraud conviction on your record you'll realise just how stupid you were and what an impact that has on your life. :smile:
moose109 to Gazfaz
20 Mar 161#129
Except that they do do random checks. I'm type 1 diabetic and so get all my medication on exemption, however I was recently fined. Despite explaining politely via the telephone that they had made a mistake, I was taken to court where it was dropped immediately. Huge waste of time and money in chasing me really.
me_lee
20 Mar 16#128
Worth remembering that anyone who is diabetic or takes levothyroxine gets their prescriptions for free regardless of circumstances.
And before the obesity / diabetes hate comments, please remember a great deal of diabetes is genetic...
FleetFanatic
20 Mar 16#126
Ah yes I remember the days of living in Kent & having to know that I was going to be ill 2 weeks in advance.
Up here in Newcastle, I've always got an appointment the same day or the next day.
Maybe I've been lucky, as I've only had 3 appointments in nearly 5 years - 2 of those being when I caught whooping cough!
FleetFanatic
20 Mar 16#125
You make it sound like the care home is doing something wrong, when it fact EVERY care home has to do this. It's nothing to do with making the admin easier & is in fact part of the medicine regulations (safe handling of medicines) & is the line of work I am in these days. Yes it is wasteful but they have no choice but to do so.
asiot
20 Mar 16#118
Great deal for the hypochondriacs
Firefly1 to asiot
20 Mar 16#124
Not necessarily - this deal requires your GP to actually prescribe medication rather than simply for a consultation :stuck_out_tongue:
gallpaul88
20 Mar 162#123
Well enjoy Tory run(down) England prescription charges, university costs, funding London, bedroom tax, living in fear of not being able to afford hospital in the future for your children, self and parents etc. I lost a lot of respect for the English when the majority voted for a government who are intent on discriminating against the most vulnerable in society in order to let people become richer, all in order to stop the SNP/Labour government in case the people of Scotland finally got a say in how the running of the UK.
lehappymerchant
20 Mar 16#122
I don't understand why the government just doesn't raise tax by a small amount to cover these prescription costs. I can't imagine that make up more than a tiny proportion of the total cost of running the NHS.
peterkay11
20 Mar 16#121
Good read, yewwwww knnerrr!!
Besford
20 Mar 16#120
Neatly sums up the problem!
Besford
20 Mar 16#119
Do you always resort to name calling when you feel you've no real argument to put forward?
Maybe if you spent a bit less time in front of your XBox...................................................
DOCnPharm
20 Mar 16#117
The issue is without the GP the entire primary care NHS is going to fail. When the NHS was created, GPs got what they wanted simply because without them how will the NHS function?
Everyone would be going to the hospital for treatment for the stuff a GP can sort out.
Dentists on the other hand, there are hardly any NHS places left. They have shifted to the private sector as it's more profitable and the NHS is screwing them over so why would they stay? It's infinitely more difficult to get on the books as a NHS patients.
Now if GPs did the same thing, NHS would not look so great. Tried trying to dismantle a system by making it look bad when the NHS does wonders.
comriegold99
20 Mar 162#116
Lobby your MPs people.
Good health should be everyone's opportunity.
If we can do it in Scotland it can be done in England too.
ziggy999
20 Mar 16#83
I need 10 prescriptions every 4 weeks , with my ppc a total saving over a year £988. Its a lot of money. I do wonder though, why not one of my long term illnesses qualifies me for free prescriptions, but such is life. I would be interested to know if we English are subsidising the Scottish free prescriptions, because that wouldn't be fair.
Soukmadik to ziggy999
20 Mar 161#87
Yes you are subsidising Scotland's prescriptions, you are also subsidising our water,further education and TV licence.
I would personally like to thank you,and I'm going to set up a paypal account if you would like to contribute more.
Thanks again :laughing:
Zardoz to ziggy999
20 Mar 16#115
We'll not get into the Barnett formula which means spending per head is higher in Scotland than England but for prescriptions and the like it is simply that the pot of money the Scottish Govt. has is allocated out differently than in England. i.e. For free eye tests, prescriptions etc. I'm sure there are similar examples in reverse. The fact that the SG is making a complete balls up of most things and that Scotland is running a bigger deficit as a percentage than the UK is of course neither here nor there.
The UK govt. however should be looking long and hard as to what it defines as chronic conditions which would qualify for free prescriptions with a view to extending the list a bit.
tightwadsulike650
20 Mar 161#109
Big Ben thinks private medicine is the biz,really thinks NHS which incidentally is No1 in the world for hospital care could be more successful under private ownership.
Watch Michael Moores Sicko and find out how absolutely crap Private health care really is,basically if you are like the vast majority of people in uk on relatively low income,then your pre existing conditions aren't covered and you're going to get real sick.
You listen to your aTory clowns all with vested interests in dismantling NHS,you listen to Farage and UKIP ranting about how he wants NHS to become like an American health insurance model,well none of those **** give a toss about the ordinary man in the streets,and they don't care as they're all millionaires anyway and can afford the finest.
So keep on slagging off your NHS till it's no longer there.
PhilK to tightwadsulike650
20 Mar 16#113
So the NHS Trusts which seem to be there to overpay the usual PC parasites, PC parasites pals and family members, Tory/Lab/Lib family members etc etc ad naseum while doing away with cleaners/nurses/doctors as "too expensive" is how to run a health service is it ?
PhilK
20 Mar 16#111
Absolutely disgusting. Workers pay TWICE for their prescriptions and dentistry.
No wonder they're flooding in to "Punish the workers" UK
seaniboy
20 Mar 16#110
Planet earth would not have SO many advances without the Scots, remember when you catch MRSA from your outsourced for profit NHS England ward after for paying your prescription that a scotsman pioneered a group of drugs that may save your life, you will be calling people from your bed watching your tv both provided by a scotsman, the world is thankful for Scotland even if the neighbours need a ASBO served on them for abuse they give, esp the majority of your MP's.
BigBen75020
20 Mar 161#108
F....k NHS useless GP s wait 6 hours in A E, etc etc go private sector hahahahhaha Mr Osborne we should privatise the NHS too to cut money and make savings
seaniboy
20 Mar 16#107
^You forgot England subsidise oil too :wink:
Inferior ? Yes all them Scots and Syrians are claiming refugee status and claiming child tax credits taking them away from the UK bulk of claimants, tens of millions...the english!
seaniboy
20 Mar 16#106
Cold. I pay my all NHS charges in tax and N.I :wink:
eddy64
20 Mar 16#105
well if you get cancer then you'll get an exemption certificate.
tomdavidrichards
20 Mar 16#103
But you live in an inferior country so swings and roundabouts
edgeone
20 Mar 162#102
Given how deprived it is I think it's only fair everyone throws in a bit more. Only going to get worse with the massive job losses in the oil industry. It's only right that you help the weak.
tomdavidrichards
20 Mar 16#101
Natural kid
tomdavidrichards
20 Mar 16#100
Aww Scottish are we lol I'm 12 stone 6ft so no not fat, but ur still Scottish haha!!!
m4rc
20 Mar 168#99
So my disabled son is a parasite because he can't walk? Motability vehicles do not cost a penny more to the tax payer than when someone chooses to keep their mobility component and spend it on something else. It's paying for a vehicle lease. I choose to spend the money on a new car rather than an older one for pure convenience, living 5 miles from nearest shop, 8 miles from doctors and 22 miles from my sons school mean we need something reliable. Others choose to spend it other ways, but it's all the same amount of money. You know that of course, as you worked for DWP, so it would be fairer to tell people facts rather then help perpetuate the lies, my son gets enough abuse as it is, the fact that at 13 he can't do a thing for himself and is unlikely to ever be able to do anything (including eating, talking, using a toilet, you know, luxury things...) means he has a hard enough life as it is. Some people may abuse the system, doesn't mean you have to tar everyone with the same brush and use such disgusting terms of phrase. If you want his car and his blue badge I'm sure my son wouldn't mind, but could you have his disabilities too?
I'm a full time carer, unable to work as I care for my young son and my adult son. My partner is an emergency nurse. I have to pay for my own prescriptions, I'm far from well off, and I have 4 medicines per month, 2 due to the pain I'm in from lifting a very heavy young lad around. So this prepaid prescription card saves me a lot of money, and I'm grateful for it. No, I can't just not take medicine as was helpfully suggested earlier, if I did that I couldn't care for my son, and you hard working citizens would have to pay for someone to care for him. We couldn't have that, I'd be abiding the system and be a scrounged wouldn't I.
Some of you need to get a reality check. You sit on here judging and b*tching away as if you are something special. Not everyone is fortunate to be able to work, damn how I wish I could, but unless I put my sons into the care system that's not possible. Think before you post, kindness and consideration is free and can really make a difference to someone- I may even post it as a deal
dafunq
20 Mar 167#20
doctors need to stop prescribing paracetamol and any cheap over the counter medicines imo
Besford to dafunq
20 Mar 163#31
So, so true (and many other items too: £70 gluten-free loaf anyone? - available in Sainsburys for £1.75!). Pharmacist wife works in GP surgeries and sees patients using 'menaces' to get what they want regardless. There's a substantial underclass in this country who would make decent people weep if only they knew what goes on.
By the way: 40% of medicines dispensed are never taken and once they leave the pharmacy they can't be dispensed again, even if returned unopened. In fact the recommendation is to take them back for disposal and the poor old NHS then has to pay again for a contractor to dispose of them 'safely'! At least the prescription charge should make those who have to pay think whether they need everything on their repeat list but unfortunately the majority are dispensed free for one reason or another - not just to the Celtic fringe either.
The NHS is a national treasure being ruined by the 'entitled' segment of society - most of them born here. Attempts to sort some of the nonsense are usually shouted down by the looney left who refuse to accept that you can only spend what you haven't got for a limited period. They'll regret it when it's gone.
opaninkofi to dafunq
20 Mar 16#64
Instead of advising Drs on cheap prescriptions, direct all your energy in telling the politicians to rather stop allocating money for healthcare to the MOD and pushing our innocent soldiers for unnecessary interventions round the world. Tell them to also use what ever money they are going to waste on trident on the NHS including prescriptions. And finally tell them not to bow to pressure from the USA to spend 2% of their budget on milary as NATO wants them to, but rather spend the money home.
JimmyBob to dafunq
20 Mar 16#98
Definitely, went to the dentist and was told that they were prescribing me some specialist mouthwash, took it home, quick Google later shows Tesco sold the same thing for £3, absolutely ridiculous.
elbs
20 Mar 16#97
here come the daily mail brigade...
JenGlasgow1985
20 Mar 163#95
So glad to live in Scotland
muz379
20 Mar 16#94
You do realize that the motability scheme is run by a charity right ?
So regardless of if the person opts to sacrifice their benefits for a car or just receive the cash and arrange for their own transport it does not cost the state anymore .Its nothing to do with the state
Sometimes the claimants are actually getting a raw deal out of the scheme , the enhanced mobility component of pip is £57.45 .You could arrange your own lease on some of the cars they offer for a heck of a lot less than £229.80 a month .
bossyboots
20 Mar 161#93
and believe me, us Scots would be VERY happy with that
1on4
20 Mar 163#92
Just to jump in here, lots of folk (particularly the elderly) attend the GP on a very regular basis because they have 'nothing better' to do. I have 2 ladies on my caseload who go every day because it is the only social interaction they get. It's also warm, dry and there is a friendly (if exasperated) doctor/receptionist/nurse there to listen to them.
Similarly, most of the people I see have months and months of medication stored up 'just in case' or because they don't know or don't care how much it costs. It's not always people 70+, but usually. Some of them look forward to having somebody knock at the door and deliver it or others enjoy the trip to the chemist to go and collect it.
Less than 10% of prescribed medication is paid for. Controversial maybe, but it would be a big help if we started means testing free scripts for older folk.
229mel
20 Mar 16#91
I'm going next week to visit several clinics in eastern europe just to find out what's wrong with me, with this nhs system I feel I will be dead soon, if you aren't dying right there and than..than please wait a couple months just to get forwarded to another pointless indian ''doctor''.
haq
20 Mar 16#89
People on visa pay £200/year as NHS Surcharge while applying for a visa. This is in addition to the visa fee.
themachman
20 Mar 16#88
Used to have one of these till my Dr started prescribing 3 months worth of my regular tablets which works out way cheaper now.Maybe people should ask theirs to do the same?
tightwadsulike650
20 Mar 16#86
Ziggy would be better checking if any of his illness are covered by prescriptions exception.
I had a card to cover my prescriptions fees in England as I had a qualifying illness,worth checking out.
I do feel for the English on low wages that are still over the threshold for help with prescriptions,but it seems that no English people are fighting for an nhs free at the point of use,including medication.
Instead they follow and vote for political parties hell bent on the destruction of the NHS.
If you are fed up paying over the odds for medicine then demand the abolishment of Prescriptions charges in England.
Zontes
20 Mar 161#84
Sorry for misjudging you. Motability parasites will remain quiet on this forum.
vtec
20 Mar 16#82
where can you get that from?
sdutton007
20 Mar 161#48
My Doctors usually takes over 3 weeks to get an appointment - by which time, you've either died or recovered!
Plus the NHS has failed me so many times, I don't even bother going anymore.
Oh, and the local hospital (Addenbrookes Cambridge) has multiple signs stating that the ACCIDENT & EMERGENCY department is for EMERGENCIES ONLY.... um, shouldn't someone tell them it's 'A&E' not just 'E'?
Besford to sdutton007
20 Mar 163#53
My suspicion is that you're part of the problem.
Mrepg to sdutton007
20 Mar 16#80
Same for me, Royal Glam in wales is a utter cesspit resulting in massive waiting lists, filthy wards and yes you guessed it E only. I fully support the nhs as its our nhs, but both the staff and the gov are ruining it. I get 2 repeat prescriptions one for chronic drop u to the floor crying pain lol, I earn 40k and these meds enable me to keep my job, I have paid enough tax to demand a better service! All my grief was caused by the nhs due to being too long on a waiting list for emergency op 4 months ffs and then they butchered it n gave wrong meds. But hey ho cant moan we are british haha.
sdutton007
20 Mar 16#79
Not being provoctive - just used to know someone who had Motability cars and I thought it was a bit extreme. I completely agree that disabled people should have the means to get around but a £17,000 Astra 1.6 Turbo seems a bit much...
Vanbast
20 Mar 16#78
If you have monthly prescriptions and time it properly a PPC can last for 13 months so even better value.
Zontes
20 Mar 16#77
Exactly. You have possibly got it, or are trying to be provocative.
MR GUS
20 Mar 16#76
Always ask if there is a decent equivilent generic when going in blind @ the chemists for product / advice.
MR GUS
20 Mar 16#75
Good timing Newbold, the monthly debit is a really worthwhile purchase for anyone on regular meds, fingers crossed it will not be wrecked by meddling politico's anytime soon.
sdutton007
20 Mar 162#74
Just out of curiosity, what's the problem with Motablility cars? I don't know much about it, but I'm guessing the problem has something to do with people getting brand new expensive cars every few years when hard-working people are having to drive around in 15 year old sheds?
Zontes
20 Mar 16#73
Honestly, it beggars belief. There will be people reading this who have DLA Motability cars. They should go look in the mirror. Parasites.
tightwadsulike650
20 Mar 16#72
I am quite sure that the vast vast majority of people who attend GP surgeries do so out of necessity.
The vast majority of people attending A&E do so for genuine reasons and anyone that suggests otherwise is talking crap.
sdutton007
20 Mar 161#70
My suspicion is that you are an utter moron that jumps to stupid conclusions based on no evidence whatsoever. Although that isn't really a suspicion as much as an observation. (Note: This also applies to the members known as 'elbs' and 'peterkay11')
Apart from the reasons that I have mentioned above, why would you jump to such a conclusion?
Zontes
20 Mar 16#69
So true, I could write a book about how this system is abused. I have so much personal experience of people actually abusing the system, and have no problem doing so. It is a disgrace. I could say so much more, but wont.
Firefly1
20 Mar 161#68
That's a huge huge problem for the NHS. People keep going to their GP for illnesses that simply need 3 weeks to recover from - so they go to their GP after seven days to see if they can get Abx "to speed the process up". Obviously I'm stereotyping a lot of people there, but it is nevertheless the case for a significant proportion of consultations.
Waits in my area of Kent are 2 to 3 weeks for a routine GP appt - and about 1 week in the GP i Hampshire.
opaninkofi
20 Mar 16#67
My son's God mother who recently retired from personal independence..... of DLA was saying similar stories just yesterday. It's a shame people do that
tightwadsulike650
20 Mar 16#65
I don't live in London,but I did live in Essex for Fifteen years until very recently and it was unusual not to get a same day appointment.
I expect the situation in London must be really bad,in Scotland now and I haven't failed to get a same day appointment yet.
Besford to tightwadsulike650
20 Mar 16#66
That's not typical in most places. Too few GPs for too many people. Not a political point, just current reality across much of the country. Too few doctors training to be GPs whilst too many older ones retiring.
MikeLondon
20 Mar 161#61
Had to take my wife to a private clinic a couple of weeks ago for an emergency apontment and it made the NHS look like a sorry pile of s***. The government as well as some individuals have just sucked it dry.
Besford
20 Mar 16#60
I have no agenda as such, just despair at the insight brought to the subject by a family member trying to change things.
chuckies27
20 Mar 161#59
Absolutely if the fraudsters were caught then the money could be spent on those who need it. I'm from a small town and know many people who have disability cars (meant for those who can BARELY walk) - yet see them coming up town with bags of shopping unaided whilst their kids are going around in the car. So unfair to those who genuinely need the extra help and support. Sorry have gone off on a tangent!
Besford
20 Mar 16#58
I only wish that were true. The nearer you get to this subject the worse it gets. Institutionalised waste in many forms.
jimhalpert
20 Mar 161#57
I fear you're making stuff up to suit your agenda...
Besford
20 Mar 161#56
Though your comments may be honestly made I fear you are living in ignorance of the realities.
jimhalpert
20 Mar 161#55
It's politically sensitive to force care homes to stop throwing away valid medication for the sake of convenience? I hardly think so... Either the CCG has no power to stop it or no inclination to do so.
Besford
20 Mar 161#54
Relevant quote (attributed to Maggie): 'the problem with socialism is that, sooner or later, you run out of other people's money'. So, so true.
jimhalpert
20 Mar 162#52
Hypochondria is a recognised mental illness - I don't suppose you also moan about people having the audacity to trivialise mental illness?
People also don't go to the doctor because there's "nothing else to do" - why on Earth would they do that? There is nothing entertaining about a doctor's surgery. Additionally, the majority of people getting paracetamol prescriptions etc. are probably unaware that it's costing the NHS so much for a "12p packet". Though the figures are skewed as the average prescription isn't for a pack of 12 low-dosed tablets - it's often for more expensive liquid forms, or in the case of my grandmother, something like 500 tablets at a time.
Regardless of all the judgements you feel so free to make, this is a problem the NHS created itself by agreeing to whatever the contracts state. It's also interesting to see this issue completely contradicts the other populist arguments about doctors always knowing best (like during the junior doctors dispute) and goes against the other popular narrative of people in this country suffering in poverty (maybe 12p is a lot for them?). Not that these last two points are aimed at anyone in particular - I obviously don't know any of you or what arguments you've made in the past!
tightwadsulike650
20 Mar 165#40
Lots of xenophobic UKIPPERS here cursing Scotland,Wales and Northern Ireland for fighting for free prescriptions among other hard won concessions instead of actually demanding the same.
If you want free prescriptions then fight for them instead of criticising others for having the balls to.
All this crap about prescriptions for paracetamols,absolute fantasy!
Soukmadik to tightwadsulike650
20 Mar 16#41
Fully agree,too many people have "the crabs in a bucket" mentality. They need to look up and see the bigger picture.
Besford to tightwadsulike650
20 Mar 16#47
Err...no it isn't! Manager at local NHS walk in centre got so fed up with one of the moaners (turned up without appointment to get free paracetamol for their child and then complained about the wait) that they gave them the 19p from their own pocket and sent them to Boots! Bet if that story got out the manager would be in trouble too.
chuckies27
20 Mar 163#45
I live in Scotland, chronic pain sufferer and thankfully in a job where I can still work despite my condition. I would still rather pay for my prescriptions if it meant getting better NHS services (pain clinic access etc). There is also so many people getting repeat prescriptions who end up wasting more than they use - particularly older people who get their repeats ordered automatically and delivered- there will be plenty others who waste repeat prescriptions. Personally I only order when I'm almost out of me medication.
I have also read that SOME people keep ordering medication as its all part of keeping their DLA claims! I was even told by one person they get a prescription for a very strong opiod which they never take - this apparently looks good on their claim form. That is disgusting behaviour IMO.
andreasuk
20 Mar 161#43
no thanks
andreasuk
20 Mar 161#42
no thanks
jakka
20 Mar 163#37
Yes prescriptions are free in Wales but at a cost to the Welsh, worst waiting list in UK.
mnemon81
20 Mar 167#1
Free in Norn Iron, yay :smiley:)
AlanS181824 to mnemon81
20 Mar 16#36
€2.50 per item in the rest of Ireland.
Remind me to relocate to Scotland sometime!
farrarfamily
20 Mar 161#35
You would be surprised what people are allowed on prescription!!!! They get things like gluten free stuff that is now readily available in supermarkets, .....throat lozenges...... paracetamol......... olive oil......I could go on!
TAZMANUK
20 Mar 16#34
a petition should go up free for england
FleetFanatic
20 Mar 161#32
On a different note however, voting cold, as this simply isn't a deal, more advice about something at its normal price.
Cristiano
20 Mar 1611#30
Can of worms here. But it's free to those that don't work or contribute to society and use every possible way to suck the country dry. "Because I'm entitled!!" Whilst hard working citizens get a bad deal. And are probably on this website now buying a nice big 4K TV as the one they bought last year is only LCD. But won't be reading this thread as they know it's already 'free'
samspud
20 Mar 161#29
Unfortunately my wife and I work for a living so don't get free prescription's in England. You should see some of the states that queue up in our pharmacy.
Cristiano
20 Mar 161#28
Completely agree. Not only do they ask for a prescription for it they probably only had a headache so took an appointment for a person who might genuinely need it and cost the taxpayer like us circa £50. And the same people are in and out of the surgery daily, oh dr I have a runny nose, dr my teeth hurt - Dr I'm just here as I don't have anything else to do. Apologies - rant over. I think the reason they are £8.40 is to balance the cost of the more expensive drugs that they prescribe and it costs the NHS money to prescribe drugs. Otherwise everyone would be charged the actual cost. You win some you lose some. It's not like rocking up to B&M to get a packet of paracetamol.
Besford
20 Mar 162#26
Unfortunately you are not typical of the scrounging population of this country.
IWOOTN
20 Mar 161#24
then buy it over the counter. And those who do get free scripts. Go buy them, save the NHS a bucket load. I'd be embarrased,, no mortfied to hand over a script for items that can be bought for 15p
mben78
20 Mar 16#23
free in wales
IWOOTN
20 Mar 16#22
still free ( for now) in norn iron
MrHot
20 Mar 163#18
Our pharmacy will tell us if anything on the prescription is cheaper than the charge for us.
also I've never seen a doctor prescribe paracetamol ever, they simply advise to take it etc. granted anyone who doesn't pay could get it on prescription for free.
Coffee100
20 Mar 16#14
Does the cost of the pre-payment certificate go up on 1st April too?
macobrum
20 Mar 16#13
Where is a deal? it works at the same prices almost a year...COLD
the_bart123
20 Mar 166#11
scared of something? :wink:
DAMNOME
20 Mar 1613#6
Free in Wales too...
tomdavidrichards
20 Mar 161#5
Or have an under active thyroid like me :smiley: free prescriptions for ever
Honeyswift
20 Mar 161#4
Very useful, I've got one myself.
joanne10
20 Mar 161#3
These are great I've had mine a few years now saving me hundreds every year :-)
![Fresh Breakfast Meat Box (Using code) @ Campbells Meat [Haggis / Lorne Sausage / Bacon / Black Pudding & More]](/images/topics/208684_1.jpg)
![[Xbox One] Q. u. b. e: Director's Cut on Deals with Gold](/images/topics/208716_1.jpg)
Opening post
The 12 month PPC costs just £104, and the 3 month one costs £29.10. And the 12 month PPC will cost just £10.40 a month (for 10 months only) with a direct debit.
IF YOU'RE BUYING JUST 2 ITEMS A MONTH THIS WILL SAVE YOU MONEY - £97.60 A YEAR WITH 2 ITEMS A MONTH, AND ANOTHER £100.80 FOR EACH ADDITIONAL MONTHLY PRESCRIPTION.
ALMOST £300 A YEAR SAVED ON 4 PRESCRIPTIONS A MONTH
Two additional things to remember, though:
1 Certain medical conditions will give you a completely free medical exemption certificate (see below*)
and
2 You can claim back previous prescription costs for up to 3 months after buying the PPC so long as you ask the chemist for and retain the receipt forms FP57.
___________________________________________________________
Did you know you can save money with a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC)?
If you know you’ll have to pay for a lot of NHS prescriptions it may be cheaper to buy a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) – effectively a prescription 'season ticket'. A PPC covers you for all of your own NHS prescriptions, including dental prescriptions, no matter how many items you need. However, this does not include other health costs, for example the provision of wigs and fabric supports which are only provided through the hospital service.There are two PPC options to choose from:
1. A three month PPC costs £29.10 and could save you money if you need more than three prescribed items in three months
2. A 12 month PPC costs £104.00 and could save you money if you need more than 12 prescribed items in a year
How much can I save?
• If you need two items each month you can save over £90 with a 12 month PPC
• If you need three items each month you can save over £190 with a 12 month PPC
• If you need four items each month you can save over £285 with a 12 month PPC
There are several payment options available. If you choose the 12 month PPC, you can pay for this by 10 monthly direct debit instalments.
Please check if you are entitled to free prescriptions before you apply for your PPC.
It's quickest to buy your PPC online. The PPC will start from the day you submit your application, unless you request a different start date. However, the start date must be within one month before or after the date of your application.
If you prefer talking to someone, you can call the PPC order line on 0300 330 1341. Again, your certificate is valid from the day you make the phone call unless you request otherwise.
Ensure you have your bank details or credit/debit card details ready.
Although the PPC is valid from the day of your application it may take a couple of days to receive your certificate. This means, until your PPC arrives you may have to pay for your prescription in advance and ask for a refund afterwards.
You can apply by post as well. Complete and sign your application form and send it with a cheque, postal order or credit/debit card details to:
NHS Help with Health Costs
PPC Issue Office
PO Box 854
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE99 2DE
Print off a PPC application form here or pick one up from your GP surgery or pharmacy.
Some pharmacies may be able to sell you a prescription prepayment certificate. However, you won’t be able to pay via direct debit if you purchase from a pharmacist. Please either contact your local pharmacy or view the list of registered pharmacies on the NHSBSA website (bottom of the page) to find out who is selling PPCs.
Useful tips
Remember to apply for a new PPC in good time, otherwise you will have to pay full prescription charges if your PPC runs out.
If you have to pay for prescriptions while you are waiting for a new PPC and need to apply for a refund, ask the pharmacist for a refund and receipt form (FP57) in order to claim back the costs. You can claim for the refund of prescription charges up to three months after paying. The refund and receipt form (FP57) explains what to do.
If you buy a 12 month PPC by direct debit you are entering a commitment to pay all the instalments. If you use the PPC after failing to pay an instalment you may incur a penalty charge.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
*People with certain medical conditions can get free NHS prescriptions if they hold a valid medical exemption certificate.
You can get all your NHS prescriptions free if you have a valid medical exemption certificate because you have:
a permanent fistula (for example, caecostomy, colostomy, laryngos-tomy 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; or
cancer and are undergoing treatment for:
- cancer;
- the effects of cancer; or,
- the effects of cancer treatment.
You can only get a certificate if you have a condition on the list. If you are not sure about the name of your condition, check with your doctor. Doctors may advise you about free prescriptions. However, it is up to you to find out if you are entitled to an exemption certificate.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Top comments
If anyone has a good deal on pop corn that would be most appreciated.
Latest comments (340)
I have very low vitamin D and immune system. I have been prescribed Stexerol-D3 - is this the best stuff? it's costing me £8.40 a month! you mentioned a weekly tablet instead of a daily one - what is it called? can I ask my doctor for that instead?
When he prescribed this to me a few weeks ago he told me it was free on the NHS but I've been charged. I feel awful if I don't take it, I get thrush in my mouth and it feels like my tongue may fall off! but when I am taking it I do feel a lot better. Just wanted to know if there is a cheaper solution. As much as I feel the benefits my purse isn't so happy about it!
I don't have prescriptions or medication for anything else so the PPC isn't worth it. Any advice would be hugely appreciated.
I hope all of the UK will do as Scotland has and make prescriptions FREE.
Excellent guitar for the money. Usually go for around 380 is but most places other than amazon have them for around 420.
Even better deal is the used one without damage (package damage only - one at the bottom of the used section) which can be had for 252... however amazon warehouse have a promo on which means on checkout it reduces to 230..... for essentially a new plus top pro.
t3hfunk3r5 days, 10 hours ago#4
REPLYREPORTLIKEIGNORE
seriously not sure why this isnt getting more heat. Christ the epi 100 for 155 is 10x more heat than this and about 10x worse..... doesnt make sense
Yes, it was all cut and paste. Serious Grammer issues in your previous efforts, old chap. :smiley:.
Not sure why you would waste your time other than you have a lot of it to spare; which makes sense both micro and macro socially..... *smirk*
Not eveyone writes and thinks at a 9 year old level.
Poo face.
Its strange how after 12 years of government education some folk dont understand that there is no such thing as a free lunch. All things must be accounted for, all things must be paid for. Government is not a magic entity that can cast a spell and bring into existence tangible assets; and when it does it with "cash" what you get is inflation and a "bill of sale" to the government exchanging benefits in the here and now for the future labour of your children.
Of course, those that cannot see past their consumer based socialist programming will cry foul; I would expect nothing less. Such statements however do not change the facts, and as with science, the facts dont care about your feelings.
It is an untenable situation to not preclude acess to public services unless there is a direct need. Going to the doctor because you have a cold is not only a waste of your time, but also the doctors and all tax payers money. Hence, charging for doctors visits and prescription would go some way to stopping some of this. These charges should apply to everyone regardless of your employment status; Ive yet to see or meet anyone not on benefits that cannot afford to smoke, drink, buy toys/presents for the kids. If you want both, do what every other responsible person does; retrain, get a job you hate, that pays a meager salary, and suck it up. The ONLY groups that should be protected from such charges are means tested elderly users and all users incapable of looking after themselves (ie the severely mentally ill); the only reason I Would exclude these groups from charges are the risk factors inherent within their very being, and not some intangible philosophical illogical positioning the left likes to assert.
Down here, since wrecker Thatcher, we've been stuck with the low tax mentality/myth. We think that low taxes are good - and forget that we have to pay out 10 times more than any tax saved in car repairs (potholes), healthcare, social care and pretty much everything else that's no longer provided by central or local government, thanks to Tory cuts.
Don't you pay enough tax on your fuel,takeaways, alcohol, tobacco and your wages/salary.
Why are you voting this hot ?,you should be incensed.
Methinks I'm in a slightly better position to know how it works than you are though...
Its a hot deal, end of. That's all that matter!
Thanks OP!
So I'll repeat - don't spout crap as facts unless you can back them up.
One is entitled to speak or see a Doctor on the day you call. You do not have to explain anything to a receptionist as it is confidential between patient and Doccie. Think it goes without saying that trivial problems usually sort themselves out and common sense should prevail from you as part of your duty to look after your own health. However, if you have a long standing chronic condition, that becomes acute, you have a right to see or speak to a Doctor the day you call. Zzzzzzzzzz......
With respect to France being better because it spends more money, 2 things to note.
1. French private healthcare spending is twice of that the UK as a proportion of GDP (ie socialist country encouraging private spending)
2.France spends 28% more on healthcare as a % of GDP compared to the UK (11.7% vs 9.1%) and yet they have (all per 1000 population)
- 115% more hospital beds than the UK
- 49% more MRI scans per than the UK
- 93% more CT scans than the UK
I don't know if more scans = better care. All I do is take the OECD and WHO healthcare analysis which rates France the best or one of the best, and then go back through the data and see what they do that we don't.
It costs double for a 10 minute GP appointment on the NHS compared to France.
You might not like Guiliani, what he said was true. Dismissing it is dismissing truth in favour of idealogy.
US healthcare is broken, but it's worth looking at why their cancer survival rates for uninsured citizens are better than the NHS.
Apart from anything else, a basic rule of research is that commonality does not equal causality... so your comments about more scans equalling better care are erroneous.
What a shock that Republican Mayor Guiliani wanted to dismiss the NHS while Democrat Obama was pushing for a more NHS like system of healthcare. If you think this is evidence you're really scraping the bottom of the barrel.
You also can not compare raw cost figures between totally separate economies. There are complex markets at work. Just because something costs the equivalent of £1 in France doesn't mean it's going to cost £1 anywhere else in the world even if that other place were to put similar systems in place.
The OECD have France as one of the top 10 health spenders. Certainly they spend a significantly higher proportion of their GDP on healthcare than us. I'm sure if the NHS had a similar proportion then outcomes would improve from what are already respectable levels - it's not rocket science that if you spend more you get more.
I also have concerns about the accessibility of French healthcare for the worst off in society. It's not terrible but it's by no means as good as ours.
As for the NHS being unreformable... Primary care governance alone has been torn apart and rebuilt from scratch 5 times within my relatively short NHS career. Given that a new entity takes time to start functioning at its most efficient, they just get to the point where things are working well and along comes the next governments 'reform'... rinse and repeat.
What the NHS needs is to be is depoliticised so we can focus on helping patients - to stop wasting money, time and effort chasing clinically pointless targets just because something takes the current health ministers fancy, people like the current idiot who actually believes in homoeopathy. Seriously, the guy actually believes in magic medicine :confused:
We are wasting vast amounts of money on 'leaders' pet projects. Money that could be spent on useful things like better cancer care or mental health services for young people.
In reality, when you look at the data in countries where the health system scans more people per 1000 and has more doctor visits per 1000 people live longer, and get over disease better.
Back in 2010 in the USA you were more likely to survive cancer as an uninsured citizen (the ones we're told are left to die on the street) than you were getting cancer treatment in the NHS.
Mayor rudolph giuliani came to the UK and once proclaimed how he was more likely to be dead had he have been born in the UK due to the state of our cancer treatment.
Regardless of all of that, just looking at the relative cost per scan, and cost per GP visit you can see that the NHS is allocating resources poorly. Our scans and GP visits cost us a lot more than France.
As for Cuba, their healthcare is good but France does significantly better in terms of both life expectancy (82 france vs 78 cuba vs 81 UK) and infant mortality (3.28 france vs 4.63 cuba vs 4.38 uk for ref).
You might not like the reforms, but the reason the NHS is unreformable is because on one side you have a bunch of people blindly wanting to privatise it and on the other side a bunch of people blindly defending something for the sake of not wanting to privatise it and claiming we're all going to die every time a change is suggested.
The sensible approach is to look to countries of similar GDP, population size and education levels and see who does it better and how they do it.
France consistently ranks high/best in all surveys, why not do what they do? Rather than blocking everything I think that's a sensible suggestion, but it must be acknowledged they charge for GP appointments and prescriptions so it's simply not the case that charging = bad healthcare.
We also need to seriously look at why getting treatment on the NHS costs so much more than France (on a per treatment basis) rather than just throwing more money at it.
It might just be that when the user is paying something, and they have a choice of providers that the whole system becomes more accountable and competitive.
You're also less likely to find yourself in a situation where the government has to decide what a fair contract is. IF you have many providers then there is competition on the contract side. Providers issuing unfair contracts are avoided by doctors and doctors who want too much money are not employed.
Mistakes happen, anyone / anywhere can make errors. What a reasonable member of the public looks for is acknowledgement of the problem, an explanation (sometimes this is all people are after) and, if appropriate, an apology and remedial action. If it's a significant error likely to reoccur it should be discussed at a special type of practice meeting (sometimes called a significant event or significant untoward incident meeting) and practices will sometimes share the outcomes with you if it is helpful.
The surgery has since threatened to take legal action against me due to a review on a different site but they soon stopped when I sent them a list of everything they had done wrong, including the relevant sections of the acts mentioned above that had been breached.
And thanks for your good wishes. Fortunately high blood pressure isn't really a bad illness, it just needs to be treated. It doesn't hurt, is easily treatable without many side effects and the biggest risk is to suffer a stroke earlier if it is not treated properly.
So please tell me how yourself and UKIP intend to make the healthcare better in the UK?
Go and read the commonwealth study data you cited and then tell me exactly what the NHS does well and what it does badly, then go and read the detailed OECD report and cite the same data.
In particular look at MRI and CT scans per 1000 population of France compared to UK, and number of GP consultations per 1000. You'll see they get far more scans and GP visits for their money in France - ie more money and going to the right places.
I voted UKIP, not that it's particularly relevant to the pursuit of truth and enlightenment.
Don't get me wrong, I'm going to make sure we tick along financially but taking on a load of patients who haven't been well looked after is far from money spinning.
NHS choices post both negative and positive comments - I should know, we've had both. Practices can apply to the moderator to remove unfair comments and slanderous or libellous stuff is not permitted but the moderator is very strict. I managed to get a one star review removed from ours because it was criticising the local hospital rather than the surgery but failed to get another, from a known serial complainer, removed as even though I knew the content was untrue I couldn't provide evidence. It's irritating as when you only have 2 or 3 reviews a 1 star review can kill your rating.
To prove they don't screen all negative comments this is the first example I came to on NHS choices from a random practice:
This practice is a joke. You never see the Dr to which you are actually a patient of. The nurse works 4 days a week which doesn't give us full time workers easy enough access to be able to make an appointment. The reception staff are absolutely ridiculous. They are I'll mannered, rude and quite frankly a let down to the whole team. Attitude toward both the patient inside and over the telephone.
I dread every time I need to make an appointment. The whole surgery got nicely done up not so long ago but instead of looking into the building refurbishment I think they should be taking a closer look to the team in which they work with!
However, the data I was referring to in my post was not the reviews but the stuff from the GP national survey which has a much larger sample size and is not so subjective. It asks questions about how quickly you can get an appointment, is it easy to get through on the phone, what is your overall level of satisfaction and would you recommend this practice to a friend or family member. If your practice scores badly and another scores well I think you can safely assume you will get a better experience if you move.
The current system being implemented by the tories and under labour is diabolical it is the worst of both worlds. From your leanings I suspect you voted for the conservatives?
Also, be aware that the NHS choices website actively screens the reviews and makes sure nothing gets posted that they don't agree with so that many of the negative reviews never get shown! Disgusting behaviour, if you ask me!
The US system is terrible, it's an example of how not to set the system up. It isn't actually competitive at all due to it's structure.
The French system is incredible. Instead if a single provider they have managed to regulate it, with the state providing most of the funding but with different levels of provision with different providers depending on what treatment you need.
There are 3 levels of GP in France, all of which charge, but they charge varying amounts.
A 10 minute visit to a GP in France costs whoever is paying HALF of what it does on the NHS.
Take a look at the OECD data, that's regarded as the best source.
http://www.adamsmith.org/blog/healthcare/comparing-apples-to-apples-nhs-still-ranks-below-average/
"The OECD’s analysis: “The quantity and quality of health care services (in the UK) remain lower than the OECD average while compensation levels are higher. Reinforcing competitive pressures on providers could help mitigate price pressures, e.g. by increasing user choice further and reforming compensation systems.”"
My original point, condensed down a bit, is that some surgeries are good and some are poor - if you're at a poor one, and there is local choice available, vote with your feet. We're ranked #1 of 28 local surgeries so we may not be typical but I would welcome the patients of surgery #28 to join us - more patients = more funding = more doctors and nurses = more services.
People with certain medical conditions can get free NHS prescriptions if they hold a valid medical exemption certificate.
You can get all your NHS prescriptions free if you have a valid medical exemption certificate because you have:
a permanent fistula (for example, caecostomy, colostomy, laryngos-tomy 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; or
cancer and are undergoing treatment for:
- cancer;
- the effects of cancer; or,
- the effects of cancer treatment.
You can only get a certificate if you have a condition on the list. If you are not sure about the name of your condition, check with your doctor. Doctors may advise you about free prescriptions. However, it is up to you to find out if you are entitled to an exemption certificate.
I can't speak for other surgeries, only mine...
You seem to have a chip on your shoulder about GP receptionists. They are working on behalf of the doctors and asking you structured questions the doctors have asked them to in order to make sure your appointment is with the right person, in the right place and for the correct length of time. If you see that as them being a "busy body"... then that is your problem. My (9) receptionists are all polite, they know that if a patient complains I will be listening back to the call and there are serious consequences if they are rude.
Receptionists can and do refuse access. Good luck ignoring mine - they will not put you in to a doctor for an urgent appointment if you refuse to disclose anything. If you're really stroppy then you'll get a call back from a nurse to triage your call. Receptionists are trained people in a skilled job working on behalf of the doctors, partly using standard operating procedure but often on direct instructions. You seem to be under the misapprehension they are making it up as they go along. It works both ways as well - they are just as likely to make you an urgent appointment if you ask for a routine one but you disclose any of the red flag symptoms or conditions they are trained to spot.
If they do let something inappropriate through and the on-call doctor notices there's an abuse of the urgent system in their on-call list they will tell the receptionist to cancel the appointment, phone back the patient and arrange for them to be seen routinely.
Bearing in mind that in my surgery if you are happy to see any doctor the longest you will wait is the next working day, recent examples of refusals I've seen when the patient says it's urgent:
- "I've had a bad back for 4 weeks and it's not getting better so I need an appointment today"
- "I've shaved my bikini-line and now it's red and itchy"
- "I've run out of (paracetamol / ibuprofen / calpol / antihistamines / viagra) because I didn't order them in time"
- "I've got a spot that appeared this morning"
- "I woke up this morning with a sore throat and a runny nose - I think I have the flu"
- (From a known drug abuser/dealer) "I've 'lost' my diazepam" (for the 99th time)...
- "I need a sick note" x 999
- "I have toothache"
Doctors need ways of keeping urgent appointments for things that are truly urgent and that involves asking questions and signposting. People who think they can just rock up with a trivial problem or self-limiting condition and expect instant service just because they demand it are what's killing the NHS, and are certainly part of the reason why some people can't get an appointment within a reasonable time.
As to healthcare systems.
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/feb/09/which-country-has-worlds-best-healthcare-system-this-is-the-nhs
http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/fund-reports/2014/jun/mirror-mirror
The NHS ranks no1. It seems you cannot see past good policy only ideology.
I don't support either party.
Do you even know what the meaning of competition is? I think you just use the term. What is important is how resources which are finite are allocated to produce the greatest welfare which can be via a market system or by the state. So tell me where the market system and competition has helped the US?
If you need any further information do not hesitate to get in touch with me.
If you're waiting 3 weeks+ find a better surgery, they'll soon buck their ideas up if there is a mass exodus of patients and their income plummets.
My surgery offers same day for urgent and same day or next day to see "any" doctor. If you want a specific doctor it just depends on how booked up they are (and if they are part-time) but it's usually 3-5 working days. Early morning, evening and Saturday appointments are available as well as telephone consultations.
I appreciate that this is a particularly good service and realise that not everyone has a choice (e.g. rural areas) but it always astounds me that many people would rather moan than just go somewhere better. The NHS choices or GP national survey websites will tell you how satisfied the patients at any surgery in your area are with waiting times and telephone access (and a lot of other stuff).
edit: Oh, and they can (and do) refuse you a same day appointment if it's for ridiculous reasons.
In socialist France, home of the best healthcare on planet earth...
1. Visits to the GP are charged to the patient (in part at least)
2. Prescriptions are charged to the patient (on a sliding scale depending on how essential they are deemed to be)
Of course, in the UK if we tried that everyone would die immediately according the left wing geniuses who contracted GP's in on twice the remuneration that French GP's get.
You know all this recent arguing over money here about Meningitis B vaccine, well blow me down Cuba developed the VA-MENGOC-BC vaccine in the 80s and it proved safe, effective and worked! The UN even awarded them an honour for it. Read about it here? Like hell. I had a friend die in his teens from MenB. It f. grates on me to think in Cuba he would have survived, a country littered with the poor and an embargo from the US for half a century. But don't let that get in the way of politicians here telling you we are the first country to have the vaccine. The health pros here even tell lies about the Cuban vaccine being not compatible with what we need. **** me, we haven't even got enough supplies. We are not even confident it will be effective or safe. No, because here it's about big pharma and of course the ££££s first, health second.
I remember when prescriptions were free, then they introduced the 20p charge. F. me, it's now £8.40. NHS, free at the point of entry... where the f. is the point of entry, the car park? Well, last time I went I had to pay! Envy of the world? It was once, no longer. It's a f. joke!
As for the new VS used thing . This can be true but in other cases it can be cheaper to lease a brand new car over a set period returning it at the end vs the costs associated with a nearly new . Reliability figures only mean so much luck is obviously also part of it when running a fleet of cars out of warranty . It is obviously easier for the charity to manage a fleet of new cars through the dealer distribution network they have chosen to operate through .
"All bar one of the hospital PFI deals were signed by Labour governments between 1997 and 2010."
Source:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/nhs/11748960/The-PFI-hospitals-costing-NHS-2bn-every-year.html
France has the worlds best healthcare, it's a socialist country and healthcare there is pay at point of use.
Open your eyes and acknowledge the way the worlds best healthcare works.
It works because despite being largely public funded they don't have a single provider, they have competition.
Also although they spend more as a proportion of GDP than we do, almost all of the difference is privately funded.
- taking alcohol with any pain relief is a major issue. Paracetamol, not so much but ok.
NICE guidance in addition to WHO guidance are quite clear that paracetamol is a perfect analgesic. Great therapeutic index.
For someone in chronic pain, I will be choosing paracetamol any day in comparison to the likes of Tramadol or any other opioids.
Paracetamol has been and will remain as the base for stepwise treatment for years to come. Let me know when you find a suitable alternative...
Paracetamol when used at the stated dose of TWO FOUR times a day is safe both in terms of this "kidney damage" which isn't even an issues at the stated dose.
Increases your chance of heart disease? Please. Show me the articles.
I prescribe what the trust has a deal on, which is pretty much all of the medicines. Most medicines can be obtained as a generic anyway which are practically peanuts compared to certain brands.
Fultium at one time was a really expensive brand, now the NHS will only pay the same price as HuxD3 (£2-£4). Treatment of vitamin D deficiency is as a matter of fact really cheap and has so many benefits to the patient.
Vitamin D deficient patients tend to develop a number of conditions, mostly skeletal issues. Although by ensuring they have an adequate level, we save millions of we didn't treat it and instead treated the issues related to the deficiency.
Anyway, in response to your remarks, I'll just drop these in here. Not sure what the relevance of even bringing them up, but since you have.
Manchester after Scottish fans visited.
The before.
Their other "big" team are no better.
holiday's, following your team home or abroad, always fighting, falling about, let you's off the lead and you's are big news on the telly, let me think for a sec the english you's drink your cheap carling fight, can't handle your booze, act like babies and go in to mourning for a week when you's get beat, Boo-Hoo
(we laugh our socks off up here, get a fn life) trash pubs, fight in shopping centres with mums and kids about, you's fight anywhere, well try more handbag stuff lol
Don't see the Scots on the telly doing this, that's why every country i and my fellow countrymen have visited we are greeted with open arms or they say you english once we tell them no Scottish the relief on their face is a picture, i rest my case, so don't come on here spouting we are racists when clearly your comment is ba heed :smirk:
Also, I don't begrudge giving you Scots a bit extra - there's got to be SOME benefit to living there :smiley:
Maybe we should build a wall to stop you racists from ruining our country!
that's got to hurt big time,(like a good swift kick in the chuckies we think) and there's nout you's can do about it, strange old world eh!!!
Us Scots we do love a wee laugh throwing the spanner in that old falling down parliament buildings works Hehehe :innocent:
And would Scotland be so great if the English didn't subsidise you? Or if you weren't allowed to have your cake and eat it too? (i.e. how you can vote on English issues but the English can't vote on yours)
lets see we have oil, you's have em!!! you's have em!!! buy one drink get 5 free, you's are also wae behind us when it comes to wearing the best clobber as well, Primark defo do a killing doon yer neck of the woods lol, lycra city, wae the female wildlife mingers falling oot the pubs, seems tae make great TV as well, as never aff the box, :smirk:
Im guessing these rude Londoners you've met have something to do with you rubbing them up the wrong way by reminding them the higher taxes pay for your freebies? Or are still clinging to the BS that North Sea Oil which at $30 a barrel is capable of paying for it. Straight face answers only please. :laughing:
Experts recommend that you shouldn't have more than about 300g/year - that's less than 1 dose a day!
Also, paracetamol has a huge number of drug interactions - one of the worst being ALCOHOL - even a glass of wine can react badly with taking paracetamol. Doing this repeatedly will destroy your kidneys.
Lambs to the slaughter comes in to mind here folks, you's poor english take it all the time, paying for everthing, reason why we have so many students up here using our free college/uni's that's your english tory gov charge your Sons &Daughters, yeh! they looking after you's, NO their taking the **** and you's do nout about it :smirk:
a think i'll go have a nice wee pub lunch doon at the local tomorrow wae my £8.40 and rembr you when i'm enjoying it :laughing:
I've seen places that lease used cars but in general a used car including repair costs is far cheaper than a new car... particularly if they choose reliable manufacturers.
And those with motability have breakdown cover so it's really not an issue.
Look at Osbourne cannot defend his own budget in Parliament, shows the character of the man and his party.
Anyways, I was only asking since I recently moved from Scotland to England (London). While you are comparing people, I would rate people in England specially in London very rude. Having lived in Scotland for almost 10 years, I can assure that majority of people in Scotland are very nice and caring. Even with terrible weather, they are smiling.
In Scotland you have following advantages:
- Free first degree
- Free prescription
- Free eye test
- Much less waiting times in hospitals and better care.
- No parking charge at hospitals
- Minor ailment service (which is England is only provided by certain areas)
- 24 hours supermarkets are actually opened 24 hours even on the weekends
PS: I only moved to England because of work.
Keep politicians and privateers away from the health service. The free market should be kept to areas where it works not applying it everywhere in a fetishistic and ideological way. Tories and New labour were all about marketisation for ideological reasons than anything remotely resembling a sound economic policy.
Yes I am aware how and why D3 has an incredibly long half life, no need tell me to "probably read a book". The flaw in my argument was working from the prices in the BNF, to which the kinetics are irrelevant because you would still (hypothetically) be paying 20kIU/£.
Also how big is that £20 pack of HuxD3 10kIU?
Stop reading the Daily Mail
http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/GERS
If anyone has a good deal on pop corn that would be most appreciated.
The Eu referendum is sure to push the price of it up.
I obviously don't know this for sure but I'm scared it might happen so on that basis I vote to stay in!
and not only that if you have a reaction to the meds no way of a refund or next prescription halve price oh no just full price again.
all bloody wrong this get wales scotland Ireland paying again and maybe nhs wont be so badly hit.
I prescribe HuxD3 20k UI per capsule. The BNF is essentially a guide price. The NHS would be bankrupt 30 times over if they were paying the price stated in there! As far as I am aware as of two weeks ago, pharmacies pay around £10 as a max for huxD3 and the NHS reimbursement is around £12?
There is reason I prescribe generic as I save a fortune off my budget. I'd be in a lot of trouble if I was prescribing that brand. Far too expensive.
I've been a GP for 5 years now and worked as a pharmacist for 2 years and generally tend to do a few Locum shifts here and there to keep my license.
There is not enough sunlight normally for people. This is just made even worse for people with darker skin tones. They need a heck of a lot of sunlight to get the UV light required to produce enough Vitamin D.
The supplements are something that is essential. It cannot be "fixed" by spending more time in the sun, we don't have enough sunlight to do that! The strengths of Vit D in OTC supplements is borderline useless to treat a medical deficiency.
Completely unavoidable.
Also how do you know that doing all of the things you suggested will fix the issues of the so called "avoidable condition"?
I have patients who are of fair skin and require vitamin D as they have a lack of it.
It is incorrect to say this affects mainly ethnic minorities or darker shades of the skin. Get your facts right.
Are you sure about that regarding the strength of OTC supplements? A quick check for colecalciferol in the BNF shows that the best value tablets are Fultium-D3 at 30x20kIU for £29. That's about 20kIU per £ and that's also only for early stages; the cost goes up moving to the lower 800IU tabs for maintenance.
The OTC brand I use, Dr's Best, is 180x2kIU for around a tenner depending. That's 36kIU per £.
What I've found actually is that OTC supplements tend to be too highly dosed rather than underdosed. 5kIU tabs agitate me and give me headaches. 3k and 5k are the standard doses in OTC D3 supplements.
...compulsive obsessive disorder! :wink:
Or if it's completely private, you'll be waiting months for the national health service. You cannot have it both ways realistically. Either way someone is going to lose out.
Please provide your source, as France in general has enough issues with their referrals to specialist care. We have a three month waiting for a specialist but either way it's better than the 6 months certain general practices take in France.
You'd wonder why they take six months and more in some cases? Their specialist get paid peanuts compared to other countries.
Even if you get DLA you are not entitled to free meds. At that point it is very likely that you have a (chronic) long-term condition that requires medication.
I guess the interesting bit is how to structure the system to minimise waste and leave no one behind. In some sense: give everyone in need money for the prepayment certificate - but if they save on drugs they get to keep some/all of that money?
Long term use of paracetamol when used at the stated doses two to be taken four times a day, it's fine.
Ps there are hardly any interactions with paracetamol hence to the base used for pain management.
Believe it or not, paracetamol has very few side effects and is great at aiding pain relief. For example giving paracetamol suspension to kids to lower a temperature. It's quite safe to use.
The other things on prescription are generally on there as they can have bad side effects
So either waste time getting better slightly quicker or waste time asking for a note! Either way the choice is not really yours if you are employed.
That means paying something for the GP and also paying something for prescriptions as well as spending a significant amount more on private healthcare than we do in the UK.
Did you know for example that, in actual cost paid (by taxpayer + customer), a 10 minute GP appointment in France costs half of a 10 minute NHS GP appointment?
I did manage to get then all aligned to the same date - which saves a lot of trips to the pharmacy.
£8.40 for a packet of 12p paracetamol.
£16.80 if you need 12p aspirin to go with it.
We don't. Or at least a lot of us don't. I refuse to prescribe anything available OTC in appropriate quantities unless its more than the prescription charge. Lots of people try to abuse the system. In fairness very rarely asked these days. Maybe once or twice in the last year.
Its PFI all over on an even grander scale. Britain was destroyed not from without but from within. You voted these tories in and the kicker is that Osbourne growth plans for the economy are dependent on 150k net migration a year. So all those who voted for the Tories because they thought they were tough on immigration should go look at what the Tories really are doing. Well done.
The Tories want the taxpayer to be a class of people free from assets and be a renter of resources and assets from a select few. Welcome to the Renty economy where you wont own anything, control anything but your damn sure going to pay for it.
Don't just post crap passed off as facts.
Thanks for the info OP.
& advertising does it's "bit" to cajole us into their hands, ..although I'm really missing contac, slow release very effective,damn those meth-head types & politicians, ..I can't even buy a ruddy eye wash (optrex type thing) without getting the 3rd degree! ...we go through a fair bit of the stuff, dusty loft with glassfibre etc, as well as "other things"
Maybe it would be better to lease 3 -4 year old cars although I do not know many places that will do personal leases on cars of this age . The other issues with 3-4 year old cars is that most of them will also be out of warranty which means any major work that crops up will have to be paid for by the charity . So maybe in the long run having a load of 3-4 year old cars would not be a good idea for the charity financially .
I too work full time and drive a 10 year old car (could probably stretch to brand new leasing if I wanted especially with some of the cheap leases out there these days ) But the difference between me and someone in need of motability is if my car breaks down one morning I can find alternative means of getting to work like walking down to the train station or the bus stop . Sure I might be late but if my car is broken down I am going to be late anyway .For this reason a car is less of a priority for me . If someone on motability has their car break down , that might make their journey to work or the Dr or their regular pain management clinic impossible .
It's not good for the people who actually need appointments :disappointed:
Burnham On Sea Somerset
If ibuprofen affects your stomach it does so whether it's bought or prescribed, and usually whatever dose you take. Under these circumstances it's not a great idea to take it long-term anyway unless you like the idea of a gastric bleed.
In the short-term (for example post surgery or post injury), some people take tablets to reduce the amount of stomach acid they produce so they can tolerate this and similar drugs. This is known as 'gastro-protection'.
'Lining' your stomach is only possible with something like gaviscon or pepto bismol.
Say i signed up today (for 3 months) for the prepayment certificate....
1) how many precriptions can i put in in those 3 month, is there a limit ?
2) I have a prescription of 7 days ago which i still havent put in yet, i mean not got the meds yet, will i be able to use that as well with this prepayment certificate which i am about to sign up for ?
thank you All......
Data is everything.
I have heard - although it does sound a bit of a conspiracy theory - that the government doesn't want us to be "too educated" and that keeping us fighting amongst ourselves on issues like benefits, race, immigration, etc keeps us from realising that the government is the real problem...
There's certainly an element of truth in it, but I believe there's probably a lot more to it. And let's face facts: there are a huge number of problems with the government that need to be addressed but that's not going to happen overnight :disappointed:
I have also read that SOME people keep ordering medication as its all part of keeping their DLA claims! I was even told by one person they get a prescription for a very strong opiod which they never take - this apparently looks good on their claim form. That is disgusting behaviour IMO.
Only joking. Your point about the DLA parasites rings very true. I worked in this field prior to retirement. If David Cameron sought advice from people like me who have years of experience of working with the professional fraudsters the deficit could be wiped out much sooner. DLA must be the most abused benefit, without doubt. Motability cars parked in disabled spaces, what a joke. Each car costs the tax payer so much money, it is a disgrace.
I'm aware of a local nursing home which throws out all remaining meds every month and orders fresh - because it makes admin easier! Make something free and it loses its value. My small, local CCG reckons well over a £million is wasted every year in this area alone but attempts to address it are politically very sensitive.
1) Before I was even offered tramadol they trailed me on weaker pain meds, DMARD and NSAID all with their own beautiful side effects this process was over year and a half.
2) Tramadol or other opioids for that matter is last resort for most people, I take co-codamol 30/500 and when its not enough I top up with tramadol this is on top of my other meds.
3) I get 90 tabs per prescription and this will last me a while because I don't want to be addicted to it there is a reason why its a class c drug.
4)Last week when my father went to get my prescription for tramadol and he was told I needed to see my GP because my last prescription was just before Christmas.
5)So this means I either get tramadol on a regular basis or visit the GP often spoilers this costs money also.
6) meds alone wont get you welfare sorry to say and if you claim it yourself you should know this.
The system itself is **** and binary.
also I forgot to say I am now on buprenorphine transdermal patches.
It does raise the question though that if the mobility allowance is enough to lease a brand new car every three years, is that a good use of taxpayer's money? Of course they should be able to get around, but many people I know including myself drive round in 8-20 year old cars despite working 40+ hour weeks... doesn't seem fair on the face of it. Perhaps a fairer system would be enough to lease a 3-5 year old car and a fuel allowance? Just an idea of the top of my head...
Also, I believe a normal lease doesn't include insurance, breakdown cover or replacement tyres? I don't know the average costs, but that might account for the raw deal you mention.
You get 16 tablets. You need to take 1-2 four times a day for people with chronic pain according to the world health organisation pain ladder. That's two days supply, or if you get the maximum 2 packs they're legally allowed to sell to you...you have a four day supply.
Now you try forcing an elderly patient who is in chronic pain to get their paracetamol themselves. They generally get 100-200 tablets at a time in order to ensure they have an adequate supply.
Even in a pharmacy, the maximum them can sell you is 100...but with that there are tons of questions that are asked and generally a pharmacist will refuse sale as an overdose of paracetamol is quite bad
Just go troll elsewhere!
And before the obesity / diabetes hate comments, please remember a great deal of diabetes is genetic...
Up here in Newcastle, I've always got an appointment the same day or the next day.
Maybe I've been lucky, as I've only had 3 appointments in nearly 5 years - 2 of those being when I caught whooping cough!
Maybe if you spent a bit less time in front of your XBox...................................................
Everyone would be going to the hospital for treatment for the stuff a GP can sort out.
Dentists on the other hand, there are hardly any NHS places left. They have shifted to the private sector as it's more profitable and the NHS is screwing them over so why would they stay? It's infinitely more difficult to get on the books as a NHS patients.
Now if GPs did the same thing, NHS would not look so great. Tried trying to dismantle a system by making it look bad when the NHS does wonders.
Good health should be everyone's opportunity.
If we can do it in Scotland it can be done in England too.
I would personally like to thank you,and I'm going to set up a paypal account if you would like to contribute more.
Thanks again :laughing:
The UK govt. however should be looking long and hard as to what it defines as chronic conditions which would qualify for free prescriptions with a view to extending the list a bit.
Watch Michael Moores Sicko and find out how absolutely crap Private health care really is,basically if you are like the vast majority of people in uk on relatively low income,then your pre existing conditions aren't covered and you're going to get real sick.
You listen to your aTory clowns all with vested interests in dismantling NHS,you listen to Farage and UKIP ranting about how he wants NHS to become like an American health insurance model,well none of those **** give a toss about the ordinary man in the streets,and they don't care as they're all millionaires anyway and can afford the finest.
So keep on slagging off your NHS till it's no longer there.
No wonder they're flooding in to "Punish the workers" UK
Inferior ? Yes all them Scots and Syrians are claiming refugee status and claiming child tax credits taking them away from the UK bulk of claimants, tens of millions...the english!
I'm a full time carer, unable to work as I care for my young son and my adult son. My partner is an emergency nurse. I have to pay for my own prescriptions, I'm far from well off, and I have 4 medicines per month, 2 due to the pain I'm in from lifting a very heavy young lad around. So this prepaid prescription card saves me a lot of money, and I'm grateful for it. No, I can't just not take medicine as was helpfully suggested earlier, if I did that I couldn't care for my son, and you hard working citizens would have to pay for someone to care for him. We couldn't have that, I'd be abiding the system and be a scrounged wouldn't I.
Some of you need to get a reality check. You sit on here judging and b*tching away as if you are something special. Not everyone is fortunate to be able to work, damn how I wish I could, but unless I put my sons into the care system that's not possible. Think before you post, kindness and consideration is free and can really make a difference to someone- I may even post it as a deal
By the way: 40% of medicines dispensed are never taken and once they leave the pharmacy they can't be dispensed again, even if returned unopened. In fact the recommendation is to take them back for disposal and the poor old NHS then has to pay again for a contractor to dispose of them 'safely'! At least the prescription charge should make those who have to pay think whether they need everything on their repeat list but unfortunately the majority are dispensed free for one reason or another - not just to the Celtic fringe either.
The NHS is a national treasure being ruined by the 'entitled' segment of society - most of them born here. Attempts to sort some of the nonsense are usually shouted down by the looney left who refuse to accept that you can only spend what you haven't got for a limited period. They'll regret it when it's gone.
So regardless of if the person opts to sacrifice their benefits for a car or just receive the cash and arrange for their own transport it does not cost the state anymore .Its nothing to do with the state
Sometimes the claimants are actually getting a raw deal out of the scheme , the enhanced mobility component of pip is £57.45 .You could arrange your own lease on some of the cars they offer for a heck of a lot less than £229.80 a month .
Similarly, most of the people I see have months and months of medication stored up 'just in case' or because they don't know or don't care how much it costs. It's not always people 70+, but usually. Some of them look forward to having somebody knock at the door and deliver it or others enjoy the trip to the chemist to go and collect it.
Less than 10% of prescribed medication is paid for. Controversial maybe, but it would be a big help if we started means testing free scripts for older folk.
I had a card to cover my prescriptions fees in England as I had a qualifying illness,worth checking out.
I do feel for the English on low wages that are still over the threshold for help with prescriptions,but it seems that no English people are fighting for an nhs free at the point of use,including medication.
Instead they follow and vote for political parties hell bent on the destruction of the NHS.
If you are fed up paying over the odds for medicine then demand the abolishment of Prescriptions charges in England.
Plus the NHS has failed me so many times, I don't even bother going anymore.
Oh, and the local hospital (Addenbrookes Cambridge) has multiple signs stating that the ACCIDENT & EMERGENCY department is for EMERGENCIES ONLY.... um, shouldn't someone tell them it's 'A&E' not just 'E'?
The vast majority of people attending A&E do so for genuine reasons and anyone that suggests otherwise is talking crap.
Apart from the reasons that I have mentioned above, why would you jump to such a conclusion?
Waits in my area of Kent are 2 to 3 weeks for a routine GP appt - and about 1 week in the GP i Hampshire.
I expect the situation in London must be really bad,in Scotland now and I haven't failed to get a same day appointment yet.
People also don't go to the doctor because there's "nothing else to do" - why on Earth would they do that? There is nothing entertaining about a doctor's surgery. Additionally, the majority of people getting paracetamol prescriptions etc. are probably unaware that it's costing the NHS so much for a "12p packet". Though the figures are skewed as the average prescription isn't for a pack of 12 low-dosed tablets - it's often for more expensive liquid forms, or in the case of my grandmother, something like 500 tablets at a time.
Regardless of all the judgements you feel so free to make, this is a problem the NHS created itself by agreeing to whatever the contracts state. It's also interesting to see this issue completely contradicts the other populist arguments about doctors always knowing best (like during the junior doctors dispute) and goes against the other popular narrative of people in this country suffering in poverty (maybe 12p is a lot for them?). Not that these last two points are aimed at anyone in particular - I obviously don't know any of you or what arguments you've made in the past!
If you want free prescriptions then fight for them instead of criticising others for having the balls to.
All this crap about prescriptions for paracetamols,absolute fantasy!
I have also read that SOME people keep ordering medication as its all part of keeping their DLA claims! I was even told by one person they get a prescription for a very strong opiod which they never take - this apparently looks good on their claim form. That is disgusting behaviour IMO.
Remind me to relocate to Scotland sometime!
also I've never seen a doctor prescribe paracetamol ever, they simply advise to take it etc. granted anyone who doesn't pay could get it on prescription for free.