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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be shocked about getting a bill from A&E in the NHS?!

137 replies

threeleftfeet · 30/05/2012 16:09

I took my friend to A&E a few weeks ago as she suffered an rare and extreme reaction to some antibiotics she was on.

(She got seen quicker than anyone I've ever seen in A&E. Apparently passing out on the front desk gets you seen quickly! Seriously though, she was not at all well.)

They kept her in for a night, did all sorts of tests, diagnosed her with a rare reaction to the antibiotics, gave her new antibiotics to replace the ones she'd been on, and sent her on her way in the morning.

Now, three weeks later she's received a bill in the post which demands payment for the medicine at the standard NHS prescription rate. It demands payments within 14 days, with the threat that they'll send it to a debt collection agency and add on a fiver if not received by then Shock

There was no mention of payment in the hospital. My friend is exempt from charges anyway, which they would have known if they'd but asked.

What happened to free on the point of delivery? I know we pay for prescription charges, but she was given the drugs in the hospital, this is a new one on me.

AIBU to be Shock at this?

OP posts:
yorkshire84 · 30/05/2012 19:24

Especially as some hospitals are no longer guiving pain relief to take home after c sections.

klaxon · 30/05/2012 19:29

Normal - also do you know if you call an ambulance after an accident and you end up winning a personal injury claim the ambulance service then makes a charge for the ambulance? www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Lettersandcirculars/Dearcolleagueletters/DH_4139106

klaxon · 30/05/2012 19:30

Also interestingly if you organise an event and fail to cater properly for security and it goes tits up the police will recover costs against you too.

CaseyShraeger · 30/05/2012 19:31

SardineQueen, if you're having a c-section you would normally have a maternity exemption anyway so wouldn't expect to have to pay a prescription charge (I had been about to make the same point about meds after c-section, then suddenly realised about the exemption just before I hit Post). Similarly for a child -- they would normally be exempt from prescription charges.

SardineQueen · 30/05/2012 19:47

yorkshire84 - Are they expecting people to manage the after-effects of c-section with over the counter drugs?

casey yes that's true.

OddBoots · 30/05/2012 19:57

I've never heard of this before, I was sent home with painkillers after a stay for back surgery 3 years ago and was given antibiotics in an out-of-hours for a chest infection 18 months ago and was never sent a bill.

It does make sense though, to charge those who would have to pay at a pharmacy.

NovackNGood · 30/05/2012 20:03

Seems fair enough and about time to. As you say if she is exempt she will easily be able to prove that in a couple of calls so no need to worry and if it stops the flagrant abuse of the NHS then better for all.

ZuzuBailey · 30/05/2012 20:05

It must be new OP. I took my exh to hospital in a very similar situation - he had a severe reaction to prescription drugs and was given antihistamines and steroids in A&E to carry on at home. At no point was he charged for them and he pays for his prescriptions.

I did get a telling off for driving him there (we live 3 minutes away by car) instead of calling an ambulance, which would have cost the NHS a lot of money I'd think.

ASByatt · 30/05/2012 20:08

Not new.

Took DH to A and E with awful asthma attack and once he was stable we were sent to the hospital pharmacy for a lovely combination of drugs to boost him up a bit and had to pay for the lot, it was over £30.

ASByatt · 30/05/2012 20:08

Sorry, this was several years ago.

RandomMess · 30/05/2012 20:10

We've got a pescription payment machine in our A&E takes cash or cards!

PorkyandBess · 30/05/2012 20:27

I have heard of this before, but did their first letter need to be so officious.

As an aside, I have had a traumatic 'musical minis' flashback at the mention of 'miss Polly' song.

MrsHelsBels74 · 30/05/2012 20:29

Am sure there are signs in the A&E department where I work advising that prescription charges may apply...however I daresay when you go to A&E that's the last thing on your mind.

Sirzy · 30/05/2012 20:35

I really can't understand why people see this as an issue. Prescription charges have been in place for a long time, of course they should apply in a and e to.

giveitago · 30/05/2012 20:35

I think that is indeed the way it's done - but it's harsh that you've been prescribed medicine that hyou've had to pay for and then end up very sick with it and have to pay again for something that might be better...........

ShowOfHands · 30/05/2012 20:36

Definitely not new. DH was taken to hospital a few years ago and received a bill and reminder about debt collection if unpaid in 14 days.

ASByatt · 30/05/2012 20:37

I was more cross last summer when I was prescribed the wrong drug by a nurse practitioner. Went back 48 hours later, saw a GP who gave me the correct prescription but of course I then had to pay again - now that I did resent a little.

Original poster
threeleftfeet · 30/05/2012 20:41

Yes that's a good point!

If you're been prescribed something incorrect - which poisoned you even - you'd hope the replacement would be free!

OP posts:
Original poster
threeleftfeet · 30/05/2012 20:42

Well not that my friend was prescribed something incorrect, but it did make her ill!

OP posts:
materrules · 30/05/2012 20:42

I work in hospital pharmacy and have never heard this! If she is exempt i would have thought a call to the department would sort it out as she doesnt need to pay. If they have started charging they really should make it clear on discharge so people dont get unexpected bills.

Rabbitee · 30/05/2012 20:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

StepOutOfSpring · 30/05/2012 20:53

How delightful to threaten someone with the debt collectors when they are ill. YANBU!

HereIGo · 30/05/2012 20:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SauvignonBlanche · 30/05/2012 21:02

It's standard practice, your friend wasn't billed for her care, just the standard prescription charge, for which she is exempt.

Original poster
threeleftfeet · 30/05/2012 21:07

HereIGo it was the standard prescription charge.

OP posts:
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