Invoice for prescriptions from an a and e visit

[scooterbear]

I've received a letter this morning from the NHS invoicing me for 5 seperate prescription charges that I incurred during an a and e visit following a serious accident in December-drugs used during my immediate treatment in a and e. When did this become a thing?!
I will obviously pay it (I can just about afford it) and I still recognise that it's immensely good Value considering all the NHS resource I used (ambulance, drs, x ray, scans, etc etc). I was just a bit surprised as I've never heard of this sort of back dated prescription charging before?
What happens to people that need emergency treatment but can't afford the back dated prescription charges?

I got one for anti biotic from minor injuries . It's a thing !

I had to pay when I went to the urgent care clinic with a severe bladder infection but the drugs were given to me at the hospital pharmacy rather than the clinic (even though I needed them straight away) so I thought that was the reason. I’ve never been charged for anything given actually in A&E before.

I thought the NHS was free to access, so I am very saddened by this and shocked you've received it.
Especially that it's from A&E...so basically, people need to make sure they can afford to have an accident now, despite our 'free' healthcare system. Scary!

I wonder if it's because of Brexit?!

Definitely query it. It's one thing to be prescribed meds and have to pay for your take-home prescription; but to actually charge for meds given whilst you were unconscious, is insane!

ex A&E doctor here. You are charged for medications you take home from A&E; you aren't an inpatient. You aren't charged for what you receive while in the dept.

I used to hate asking people for money but alas it is what we have to do unfortunately

Unsure what the rule is outside of England though!

That's really bizarre, have been in A+E a number of times and never ever had to pay a thing. Hope this isn't going to become commonplace.

This is not common practice and is particularly out of place given your reason for attendance.

I would make a written complaint. Google the hospital name and complaints. You could try via PALS first or straight to a complaint.

The treatment is free but prescriptions are not if you usually pay . Otherwise I think people would use a and e and minor injuries instead of gp! 🙄🙄

No it's 'dispensed' by ED. Not for your care while you were there.
The dates may not add up but that's what it's for.

Its right. I had it during 1st lockdown - no option at all to pay on the day but received an invoice later.

They used to send you to the hospital pharmacist with a script but due to cv19 that lapsed.

This isn't a new thing, we were charged 5 years ago, also Essex. DH had an accident and needed antibiotics. He was given the medication, along with his papers for surgery the next day. Three weeks later we received the bill.

As it happens, DH has a pre-payment card, so I sent them a scan of it, which they accepted.

The op has already stated that she got script medication to take bone which she paid for.

This invoice is apparently for the medications administered to them actually in the department while she was being treated not to take home.
.

The legislation quoted seems to be a bit out of date as the amount of the charge is shown as £6 per item.It does, however, appear to allow for these charges.
I have never been charged under these circumstances.

Could this be a scam?

My DH and DM have been to A & E over the past year and didn't get anything like this. Although they are both over 60.

The medications are also not named so how do you know what you're even being charged for

I just checked with Money Savings Expert and they say 'All medicines administered by a GP or in hospitals or NHS walk-in centres are free (not if they prescribe you something to take away). '

It also says this on NHSBS www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs/free-nhs-prescriptions

I wouldn't pay.

Is this something to do with it being a car accident? Something is niggling at the back of my mind about paying after an RTA and claiming back off insurance

@QueenOfHiraeth,it wasn't an RTA - OP says so up thread

I went to A&E a few months ago and was told I would have to pay for antibiotics.
I didn’t in the end as there are certain illness that are exempt.

That references regulation 5(1) of the National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) Regulations 2000, which states

"5.—(1) A Health Authority, an NHS trust or a Primary Care Trust which supplies to a patient for the purposes of his treatment, drugs, otherwise than for administration at a hospital, or appliances, shall, subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), make and recover from the patient... "

But these drugs WERE for administration at the hospital, so aren't chargeable under regulation 5(1).

Write back and point out that the drugs were administered at the hospital so are not chargeable and there's been an admin error.

I called the number and they said it was normal practice in Essex. Lots of trusts don't choose to do it but they could do if they wanted. Woman said often times people query it as they Hadn't experienced it in other areas- Depends how cash strapped each trust is I suppose.
She even said next time to insist on going to the Lister in Stevenage instead. It's a bit further but it's in Herts where they don't yet charge.

@scooterbear

Did you ask for clarification on which act it was explained by, as the one they've listed doesn't seem to be accurate.

wow. this is really awful.I agree that actually it is legally possible for them to charge you, as you are not technically an inpatient in A&E but as you have said it is not common practice in most trusts. It is even worse that they don't make this more widely known, or tell you when you attend. What if you couldnt pay? You will have already received the drugs so what the? Will this lead to people declining medication that they actually need because of costs? This is really, really sad, and I worry it is going to become more widespread across more trusts they way things are going in the NHS.

Are they going to start charging for anaesthetics and pain relief?

General anaesthetic or a knock on the head Mrs Jones? What's your income level?

Scary 😨

I'd still ask for a list of the drugs that you received