Prescriptions Charges and Exemptions
Extensive exemption and remission arrangements protect those likely to have difficulty in paying charges (NHS prescription and dental charges, optical and hospital travel costs). Information on who is entitled to free prescription is available here.
The NHS prescription charge is a flat-rate amount which successive Governments have thought it reasonable to charge for those who can afford to pay for their medicines.
These charges apply in England only. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales prescriptions are free of charge.
From 1.4.2023
- Prescription (per item): £9.65
- 12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £111.60
- 3-month PPC: £31.25
The Prepayment Certificate prices are are worthwhile if you are having regular prescriptions, even for a short period. So people on 1 item per month will now be better off with an annual prepayment. Prepayments can now be paid in instalments.
If you will have to pay for 4 or more prescription items in three months, or more than 11 items in 12 months, you may find it cheaper to buy a PPC.
There is further information about prescription exemptions and fees on the NHS website
A lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets you (the donor) appoint one or more people (known as attorneys) to help you make decisions or to make decisions on your behalf.
This gives you more control over what happens to you if, for example, you have an accident or an illness and can’t make decisions at the time they need to be made (you ‘lack mental capacity’).
An attorney should be, according to the Mental Capacity Act, aged 18 or over “who is trustworthy, competent and reliable. They should have the skills and ability to carry out the necessary tasks”.
On rare occasions GPs have been asked to act as certificate provider for power of attorney for their patients. This places the GP in the position of both assessing a patient’s mental capacity and then consenting to or refusing treatment on the patient’s behalf. This presents an ethical conflict which, in the view of the British Medical Association (BMA), is best avoided.
A “Certificate Provider” is necessary when creating a LPA. There are two types of Certificate Providers: Category A is a knowledge-based Certificate Provider who knows the Donor personally for at least two years. Category B is a skills-based Certificate Provider. This would now usually be a solicitor offering this service, although legally other professionals such as doctors may agree to do this. Providing a Category B Certificate is not provided by the NHS.
In most cases we recommend that you should obtain a Category A Certificate Provider as there are likely to be several people you know well who would be happy to help. You could ask a friend, neighbour or colleague as long as they have known you well for two years. Alternatively a solicitor can act as Category B provider. In borderline situations where someone's ability to make decisions may currently be impaired (i.e. may currently lack capacity, and are attempting to appoint a power of attorney) then specialist independent review may be suggested by your solicitor. This would not be provided by your GP because of potential conflict of interest as your treating doctor.