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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:
frowniefuckingface · 31/05/2012 05:30

I don't think yabu to be shocked. I have never heard of this either. I have been given painkillers to take home from a&e and I have never been sent a bill.

holidaysarenice · 31/05/2012 05:49

Really??

Recently i have had a good few hospital stays and i have never ever been charged!!

Usually at discharge i get asked what meds i would like to take home, which pain relief pattern i found best etc! Normally i also refuse half of it and 100% of the crap hospitals give just incase, like lactulose just incase!

I would have paid a fortune for the stuff i needed and if i had taken everything, barlcays bank would be bankrupt!!!!

klaxon · 31/05/2012 07:41

FWIW I was asked to pay a good six years ago when I was discharged from hospital and had to take some meds home - it's clearly not a new thing here.

yorkshire84 · 31/05/2012 10:02

I really hate the system in Ireland too. My cousin had breast cancer and they had to pay 1000 euros for treatment in one week alone. As far as I am aware she doesn't work and her partner is not in a really well paid job.

Floggingmolly · 31/05/2012 10:42

There is no equivalent of the NHS in Ireland. People in the UK don't realise what a fabulous system it actually is, despite it's many flaws.

Madsometimes · 31/05/2012 11:16

I remember beng Shock 12 years ago when I was having a gynae test as an out patient. I needed to take a dose of antibiotic before the test, and then an antibotic tablet the next day. I had to pay two prescription charges for the ab's.

However, when I was recently discharged as an out patient, I came home with armfuls of meds, none of which were charged for. However, Turps has now explained why that is.

I don't think that it is unreasonable to pay for outpatient or A&E medication though, especially when we think of the costs that people in the Republic of Ireland pay.

DamnBamboo · 31/05/2012 11:21

We got one for my husband once. He ended up in Swindon due to a damanged cornea and we got a bill in the post for the drugs he was given (prescription charge only) about a week later.

It would be the same if you went to the Dr's so not sure why this is any different.

Original poster
threeleftfeet · 31/05/2012 13:12

One of the differences is that the doctor gives you a prescription note. You know it involves money - or proving your exempton. You are free to get the prescription - or not. It was for some paracetomol I might chose not to pay £7+ for the prescription and instead but some from the supermarket for 20p.

When it's handed to you in the hospital without any mention of money, then it's not the same thing at all. They should at least explain it's going to cost you money.

Receiving a surprise bill in the post - with accompanying threat - is not the same thing as being handed a prescription by the doctor.

Having to pay - or prove exemption - within 14 days could prove problematic, especially for unwell people on low incomes.

OP posts:
DamnBamboo · 31/05/2012 14:24

Did you see this bill?

Why are you saying it was threatening?

DamnBamboo · 31/05/2012 14:27

Anyway, why does being treated in a hospital mean it's any different.

You can be an outpatient in a hospital or a doctors surgery.

Yes they probably should have mentioned that she was going to be billed, but in the grand scheme of things it's not that big a deal and prescription charges do apply.

sarahtigh · 31/05/2012 14:34

no its not new charges for medicine you take home from hospital but collect from hospital pharmacy have been charged for for at least past 20years

YANBU about debt collector letter with first bill , but you can not claim retrospective exemption you have to pay and then claim money back ( within 3 months)

YABU iin expecting them to be free, only medicine given while an inpatient is free any medicine at all you are given to take away has to be paid for,

GobHoblin · 31/05/2012 14:45

Happened to me too last october, received a bill after visit to a&e...but 9 weeks later, It totally confused me! Also threatening debt collectors etc etc!
My husband had to go with an eye injury the month previous but didnt get billed for the drops.
It was just prescription charges and not a problem, but it would have been nice to have been warned and not received such a snotty letter as first point of contact!

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