A third still don’t take up free prescriptions

ONE in three cancer sufferers are needlessly paying for prescriptions, according to Macmillan Cancer Support.

The shock revelation comes two years after the charity successfully campaigned for cancer patients to gain exemption from charges.

But figures from the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2010 show that one third of those receiving treatment for cancer were not told they were eligible for free prescriptions for medication relating to their illness, its treatments and effects of treatment.

Macmillan says that many cancer patients are still not aware of the help available, and are cutting back on essential items such as food or heating just to pay for their prescriptions.

To claim free prescriptions, patients must apply for an exemption certificate by collecting application form FP92A from their GP surgery or oncology clinic and get it countersigned by their GP or oncologist.

Exemption certificates last for five years and can save patients hundreds of pounds.

More information about the scheme is available from www.macmillan.org. uk/prescriptions.


Doctor’s closure warning
AN Oldham GP is reminding people to get their repeat prescriptions before doctors’ surgeries close over the bank holiday weekends.

Hugh Sturgess, of Hopwood House Medical Centre in Lees Road, highlighted the importance of remembering to get repeat prescriptions before Easter.

He said: “We have some of the highest numbers in the country of people with long-term conditions admitted in an emergency to hospital — often because they are not on top of managing their condition or because they start the right treatment too late.”

All GP practices, apart from Lindley Medical Practice at Oldham Integrated Care Centre in the town centre, will be closed from April 22 to April 25 (inclusive) and from April 29 to May 2 (inclusive).

Lindley provides walk-in services as well as registered GP services. Anyone can drop in with urgent medical problems between 7am and 11pm, seven days a week and be seen by a team of nurses and doctors.

To see a doctor urgently when your local surgery is closed, contact the local out-of-hours GP service on 0161-336 3252. Details of pharmacy opening hours over Easter and the following weekend can be found on the NHS Oldham website at www.oldham.nhs.uk.