Prescription charges in the UK - can you get them for free?

Guidance on exemption from prescription charges is set out in leaflet HC11, Help with Health Costs. The leaflet is also published on the NHS Business Services Authority’s Prescription Pricing Division’s website www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/1126.aspx in English and other languages.

We would like to clarify the conditions for medical exemption from prescription charges in the case of dialysis patients in the UK. Any patient who has a permanent fistula which requires a surgical dressing or an appliance would be entitled to medical exemption if they have completed application form FP92A and a doctor has signed the form to confirm the condition (in this context, “permanent” is taken to mean “intended to last indefinitely”). Whether or not a dialysis patient has a permanent fistula which requires a surgical dressing or appliance is a matter for their doctor’s clinical judgement. We would expect the criteria to be met where there is a clinical need for a permanent fistula to be covered by a surgical dressing (for example between haemodialysis treatments) or by an appliance (such as a catheter for peritoneal dialysis).

NKF Controlled Document No. 85, Prescription charges in the UK - can you get them for free?, written (date unknown). Last reviewed 25 May 2010.

The National Kidney Federation cannot accept responsibility for information provided. The above is for guidance only. Patients are advised to seek further information from their own doctor.

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