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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I'm £300 out of pocket for healthcare I can't receive

85 replies

ThirteenPicnicBaskets · 31/01/2023 15:20

I'm in a right state about this, please help.

I decided to book a HPV vaccination via Lloyds Pharmacy Online Doctor. I am not eligible to have it on the NHS as I'm slightly too old, straight and don't identify as a man, but I'd still like to take reasonable steps to protect myself from cervical cancer. It was a bit of a kick in the wallet, but I thought it was something good to do for myself to give me peace of mind.

They accepted my booking, allowed me to select my local pharmacy as venue, did a suitability questionnaire, all good. Payment was taken upfront, paid by credit card.

When I came to book the appointment, my local pharmacy was suddenly not listed as offering the service. I booked one in a pharmacy in the next town over instead. Then, the pharmacy called me to say that all Lloyds pharmacies in Sainsburys are closing in the near future, and since the vaccine is given in 2 doses, they can't do it - you have to have both in the same place.

There are no other pharmacies offering it for miles around. Public transport is unreliable around here and I can't drive, so I'm not sure how I'm supposed to receive what I've paid for. I've contacted them about getting a refund but they don't seem to be responding to messages. The T&Cs say that once you've had the suitability assessment, you have 'no legal right' to a refund - that can't be the case, surely? I haven't received a service, and they advertised it as being available in multiple locations where it clearly isn't.

Do I have any options to get my money back? I can't just write off £300. I wish I'd gone somewhere else.

OP posts:
keepaweatheredeye · 31/01/2023 15:26

Are you a man?

keepaweatheredeye · 31/01/2023 15:27

And if so, are you over 26?

iwannascream · 31/01/2023 15:29

If you paid by credit card, contact them and ask for a charge back and explain that you have paid for goods that they are unable to provide. They should be able to advise and help

arethereanyleftatall · 31/01/2023 15:32

How is it relevant what you identify as? Do you have a cervix?

JauntyJinty · 31/01/2023 15:33

Have you contacted Lloyds Pharmecy Online Doctor and explained to them? That'd be my first port of call

onlinedoctor.lloydspharmacy.com/contactus

Redannie118 · 31/01/2023 15:34

I wouldjust forget about Lloyds and go straight through your credit card. They will refund you within 5-7 days.

PermanentTemporary · 31/01/2023 15:34

If the Online doctor doesn't help I'd wrote a pen and paper letter to the Lloyds head office- keep a copy.

Metabigot · 31/01/2023 15:36

Chargeback even if paid on debit card

My bank did an instant temp refund whilst the matter (entirely different matter btw) was investigated with the provider and it was found in my favour.

JauntyJinty · 31/01/2023 15:37

JauntyJinty · 31/01/2023 15:33

Have you contacted Lloyds Pharmecy Online Doctor and explained to them? That'd be my first port of call

onlinedoctor.lloydspharmacy.com/contactus

Sorry, I worded that badly - there's a number on that page I meant have you tried calling rather than e-mail

worried4698643 · 31/01/2023 15:38

Don't identify as a man ? Huh? Please explain this !

Original poster
ThirteenPicnicBaskets · 31/01/2023 15:40

I mentioned the 'identifying as' not to kick off a gender row, because women who identify as men (and have sex with men) are eligible for a vaccination on the NHS (www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/who-should-have-hpv-vaccine/). I feel it would be dishonest to do that, hence coughing up the money to go private. I don't identify as anything, I am a biological female with a cervix.

I hadn't thought of credit card chargeback - would the T&Cs negate my sect 75 rights? Would that cause any issues with credit in the future? I am quite new to the world of credit cards.

Thank you for responses - I realised I forgot to frame this properly as an AIBU question. I guess it's 'AIBU to try and get a refund'.

OP posts:
DIMbum · 31/01/2023 15:50

Your risk of contracting and suffering the effects of HPV is no lower than a trans man who has a cervix and sleeps with men. The NHS have removed your right to preventative healthcare as a CIS woman.

Not the point I know, and obviously get a refund via your bank

arethereanyleftatall · 31/01/2023 15:54

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Chasingdopamine · 31/01/2023 15:55

this is a biological health requirement and you’ll find the majority of women don’t identify as anything. Go and use the NHS, this is health care you are entitled to based on your biological sex.

as far as getting your money back goes, have you explored every step of the complaints process? It’s dishonest of them to offer for sale something they cannot provide to you based on your circumstances.

LakeTiticaca · 31/01/2023 16:06

They haven't provided the service you paid for, never mind the t&Cs, report them to trading standards and post on their twitter account what they have done.

illtakeit · 31/01/2023 16:06

Go via your credit card and get a charge-back saying you did not receive the service you paid for. Your Cc company will sort it out with the pharmacy.

TheShellBeach · 31/01/2023 16:08

So you're a biological woman. There was no need to mention that you identify as anything else as it is irrelevant.

Anyway - ask your bank to refund you.

lieselotte · 31/01/2023 16:19

I assume the OP is too old to get it on the NHS but there is an exception if you identify as a man - is that the point? Fairly irrelevant though.

Anyway, you may need to write to them. Emails go into the ether. Send a letter requiring a refund within 7 working days, or you will take court action. Recorded delivery.

Jellycatspyjamas · 31/01/2023 16:22

It’s female health care, I don’t understand why you think you aren’t eligible on the NHS, get your bank to refund your money on the basis of service not provided and speak to your GP. Your gender identity or lack thereof is irrelevant.

Jellycatspyjamas · 31/01/2023 16:23

More importantly if you’re concerned about cervical cancer, book yourself in for a smear test.

EddyF · 31/01/2023 16:25

Does every woman need this vaccination against HPV? I thought it was only for girls at school?

JudgeRinderonTinder · 31/01/2023 16:26

worried4698643 · 31/01/2023 15:38

Don't identify as a man ? Huh? Please explain this !

They are giving men the HPV jab as HPV is sexually transmitted so the idea is that by giving men the vaccine it prevents them contracting HPV in the first place to pass on to women.

TheShellBeach · 31/01/2023 16:33

JudgeRinderonTinder · 31/01/2023 16:26

They are giving men the HPV jab as HPV is sexually transmitted so the idea is that by giving men the vaccine it prevents them contracting HPV in the first place to pass on to women.

Show quote history

Very possibly, but the OP is a woman.

ToastAndButler · 31/01/2023 16:34

Yes, you have a legal right to a refund if they cannot provide the service you've paid for, and if you paid on the basis that the service was provided locally and this has changed subsequently they should refund you. Can't really comment on the T&Cs without seeing the whole thing but no, a business is not allowed you to deprive you of your right to a refund when they can't provide what you've paid for.

I would probably start by calling Lloyds and getting the number for their complaints dept. You could also do a CC chargeback.

JusteanBiscuits · 31/01/2023 16:34

Are you a virgin? It's given young as you need prevention before you have been exposed to it. The cut off is 26 as most women have been exposed to it by that point.