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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be naffed off that 30 weeks into my second pregnancy and this is the first time

29 replies

BigBellasBeerBelly · 03/05/2009 20:40

That anyone has bothered mentioning that I am entitled to free prescriptions?

And apparently they last for a year after the baby is born.

Now I have sent the form off but apparently it will be a few weeks before the card comes so in the meantime i will be paying for another prescription for iron tablets as I have nearly run out.

I only got my MAT B1 this and last time after I badgered them for it, and kept being told conflicting info about the no of weeks pg I had to be before they would give it to me.

AIBU to be naffed off with the whole thing?

BTW the midwife told me the GP should have done it, and the GP told me the midwife should have done it. Great help there, thanks.

OP posts:

MaryMotherOfCheeses · 03/05/2009 20:42

the person issuing the prescription should have done it, surely.

PolkaDotRachel · 03/05/2009 20:49

The midwife did it for me quite early on in my pregnancy if I remember.

And they do last for 1 year after the baby is born. In case you don't know you are also entitled to free NHS dental treatment.

MAT B1 can be issued from 20th week on, again by the midwife.

I know they are short - staffed etc but YANBU they should not be making you run around!

southeastastra · 03/05/2009 20:50

go to the dentist too

Triggles · 03/05/2009 20:51

Tell your pharmacy that you are pregnant when you go in to get your prescription - mine took some time to get to me, and the pharmacy just wrote down my due date and marked me as having the maternity exemption. They weren't worried about it at all. It must be fairly easy for them to follow up.

Original poster

BigBellasBeerBelly · 03/05/2009 20:54

I knew about the dentist somehow and the MAT B1 for work.

In general i am quite efficient and try to keep on top of things, but this particular benefit slipped past my attention. I had a vague idea there was something about prescriptions but it never clarified itself into a full thought IYSWIM.

TBH the standard of care I have received this pg has been crap all round, and I think this is the last straw.

Why can't they just tell you what you need to know? I read all the leaflets they gave me last time - can't have been in there

OP posts:

JetLi · 03/05/2009 20:57

Not surprised you're naffed off. Mine was sent for at the first midwife appt. and I 10 weeks pregnant when it arrived. Maybe complain to the practice manager? That's lousy and bloody dsgraceful and I imagine you'll be pretty out of pocket at more than £7 a chuck these days.
The pair of them (mw & GP) want shooting with shit.

Original poster

BigBellasBeerBelly · 03/05/2009 21:03

jet you have just made me smile broadly, that is an excellent expression and something I'd pay money to see!

Triggles I will try just telling the pharmacy and see what they say. Thanks for the tip

I am feeling calmer now...

OP posts:

thisisyesterday · 03/05/2009 21:06

how very annoying. I would complain. I got my form at my first MW appt at about 8 weeks

SpringySponge · 03/05/2009 21:09

Have you had a Health in Pregnancy form? They've been like gold dust even for people with competent healthcare professionals, & are worth £190.

ProstetnicVogonJeltz · 03/05/2009 21:10

GP should do the FW8 which is the free prescriptions form. Usually filled in when you go and tell them you are preg before the midwife booking appointment. The midwife should have checked you had it at the booking appt. Both crap. complain to practice manager.

littleboyblue · 03/05/2009 21:12

When you pick up your prescription, can't you tick the box that says 'has a valid maternity exemption card'? The workers at the chemist will see you are quite clearly pregnant, so shouldn't be an issue, surely? I do have my exemption card, but have never actually needed to show it at chemist.

Original poster

BigBellasBeerBelly · 03/05/2009 21:15

Springy - yes - I did have a form which my midwife flourished at me - worth £££ - and she looked very pleased with herself. I was pleased too!

Obviously only room in their procedure for the most recent iniative - the health in pregnancy got everyone so excited they forgot about everything else. That's my theory anyway.

I wonder if it depends on where you live who does the form - i will try and find out - so that I can seethe quietly at the correct people (as actual complaining is largely pointless IME).

OP posts:

thisisyesterday · 03/05/2009 21:21

i didn't see my GP at all, but the midwife offered me the form freely (then again she'd be able to see I hadn't seen the gp from the pc, so maybet hat's why?)

Gorionine · 03/05/2009 21:21

When my Dr confirmed my pregnancy, he gave me a form to fill to have free prescription and dental care.

Ask for the form and fill it. It still is worth it as it is valid until your child is 1yo.

Original poster

BigBellasBeerBelly · 03/05/2009 21:26

Garrrrgh all you people with your efficient and fully functioning healthcare types!

It is shite here. The ante-natal care and post- natal care anyway. the actual getting the baby part out went, um, OK.

And happily, just when I am going to have a baby, my hospital has yet again been the subject of press coverage about dreadful mat services, just as it was when I was pg with my first! Happy days!!!

OP posts:

5inthebed · 03/05/2009 21:33

Your MW should have told you about it at your first appointment.

Has she mentioned the Sure Start Maternity grant to you? They don't tell you about this either.

macdoodle · 03/05/2009 21:47

Sorry but if its just for iron tabs why dont you just buy them in Asda, its a few quid for 100's of tabs surely less than the cost of a script!!

heather1980 · 03/05/2009 22:21

did you know that you can also get these forms from the chemist?. you still have to get the mw/gp to sign it but you could fill it in before you go.

AlexanderPandasMum · 03/05/2009 22:33

I agree with another poster - last time I didn't have the form yet, and I was told by a helpful pharmacist (after she'd asked "Do you pay for your prescriptions?") that I had to apply for it and she gave me the form. she took my word for it even though I was 14 weeks at the time and not obviously pregnant.

So I would just tell them you are pregnant at the pharmacy but you are still waiting for the form.

kitkatqueen · 03/05/2009 22:47

bigbellasbeerbelly

Hiya, actually you don't need the card in order to get your free prescriptions. I am on preg 4 and this is the 1st time they have bothered to send it to me. Just tick the right box on the back and hand it over, I've never been asked for my card, one pharmasist said "oh I saw your card last time didn't I" and I just smiled at him.

To be honest tho I wouldn't take their iron precsription anyway, I only use spatone from boots because it doesn't have all the nasty side effects that the tablets do

lisianthus · 04/05/2009 08:36

I know how you feel - I didn't know about the MAT B1 form until a colleague (who has been off on mat leave) told me last week! I looked it up and it turns out I should have handed it in by 31 March. Work knows that I am pregnant (and not just huge) so I am hoping it's not going to be a problem, if I get it off the mw at my next appointment this week. ARGH.

Good luck with your prescriptions - that stuff really mounts up, doesn't it!

Original poster

BigBellasBeerBelly · 04/05/2009 15:13

Thanks all.

i will go to the chemist and point at my belly and see if that gets me anywhere

OP posts:

leonifay · 04/05/2009 15:20

just in case you dont know you can also use the card for free dentistry.
hth

TheProfiteroleThief · 04/05/2009 15:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

BigBellasBeerBelly · 04/05/2009 16:07

Bit late for last pregnancy! And the thrush threatments at the beginning of this one...

Thanks for the advice all, i will get it sorted.

OP posts:

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