Hi there - can I just say the McMillan advisers told my parents that they weren't entitled to anything (they are 76 and 79 yrs), but people advised them to ask again and the council sent a Welfare Rights Adviser to see them and to help complete the forms.
My mum has now received attendance allowance, backdate to the day she applied and apparently my dad will qualify for carer's allowance too, but he hasnt been notified of this yet.
They were both absolutely flabbergasted as they have never been given anything and very little help all the way through their lives and they live on basic pension.
I'm so pleased for them.
Check to see if your DWP / Council dept whatever, has a Welfare Rights adviser and pursue them.
Posts: 220 | Location: Yorkshire | Registered: 04 April 2007
Gordon Brown promised to abolish prescription charges for cancer patients as part of a "new settlement" focusing on fairness.
In what had been described before he spoke as the speech of his life, the prime minister's announcement that he would scrap the charges for cancer patients from April was well received in the conference hall.
Patients' organisations have welcomed Mr Brown's additional pledge that "over the next few years" the charges would be dropped for all patients with a long term condition.
The section of Mr Brown's speech that focused on health and the NHS earned him two standing ovations as he was talking. He pledged always to support the health service, saying: "For me, this isn't a political agenda but a personal mission."
"This isn't a political agenda but a personal mission"
Gordon Brown The government expects around 250,000 cancer patients to be exempted from prescription charges from next year. It will cost around £20m a year, which has been "factored into health budgets", according to a government source.
Costs and savings
The cost of abolishing prescription charges for all patients with long-term conditions would be about £250m a year, which will be paid for from the savings on drugs as a result of the deal on the prescription price regulation scheme.
The exemption is likely to be linked to an expectation that patients would discuss the establishment of a long-term care plan with their doctor. The care plans were part of the prime minister's vision of a more personal health service.
Disclaimer: Please see your own dentist/doctor for a proper diagnosis as my words should not, in any circumstances, be taken as dental/medical advice.
"If you see what is small as it sees itself, and accept what is weak for what strength it has, and use what is dim for the light it gives, then all will go well. This is called Acting Naturally." Lao-Tsu, Tao Teh King
Posts: 2907 | Location: St Luke's Hospital, Bradford and Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield | Registered: 14 December 2002
Well about time - to add to my worry of having cancer I had to find the cash for loads - and I mean LOADS of medication. My first haul was for 8 different sorts!
Love Chloex
***Keep the faith*** Grow old disgracefully ;-)
Posts: 221 | Location: Milton Keynes UK | Registered: 27 May 2008
Yes Big Ray, I was under the impression that cancer suffers because of the condition were exempt from paying prescription charges, so Mr Brown, no change there then. It is also my understanding that that care allowances and other benefits are availble to all cancer suffers and are not means tested.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: angiebaby,
I have paid for all my meds - as cancer is not a "listed medical condition and have a valid exemption certificate" according to my McMillian nurse! I defiantly wasn't pregnant and was on full pay so got no help what so ever!
Love Chloex
***Keep the faith*** Grow old disgracefully ;-)
Posts: 221 | Location: Milton Keynes UK | Registered: 27 May 2008
I can understand why you would have to pay for your prescriptions if you were on full pay from work. What I fail to understand is why you WERE on full pay when you were not able to work?? It may of been more advisable for you to of been signed off from work and to of claimed the benefits that you have spent your life paying for and are entitled to.
I was never offered a Macmillan nurse but was given amazing financial help from their benefits section who were the most fantastic help. I would recommend anyone who joins our little club to contact them, they really do know the in's and out's of a ducks behind!!
Ray
"Too stupid to understand, too stubborn to die"
Posts: 37 | Location: Somerset | Registered: 21 June 2008
I was on full pay as my company were very good to me! I did buy a prepayment card which works out at £27 something every 3 months. I am lucky and am nearly off all my medication now anyway - just the odd pain killer, skandie shakes and vitamin supplement.
Love Chloex
***Keep the faith*** Grow old disgracefully ;-)
Posts: 221 | Location: Milton Keynes UK | Registered: 27 May 2008
My son DID have to pay for his perscriptions. Unlike Chloe he wasn't on full pay but pays into a sickness fund at work.This took him to just above the amount the government states is enough to live on. Going on benefits was not an option to do this he would have had to give up his job and with a wife and two little ones this was not possible. Had recently changed his mortgage so insurance hadn't been running long enough to cover his payments. Luckily his building society let him take a years mortgage break. So I agree with Hagg, about time, because there are a lot of cancer patients who have to pay for perscriptions.
I too found that I was not entitled to anything because I was being paid by my company for most of the time and have happily been able to return to work full time. I am still paying for a prescription certificate now for items to help my dry mouth condition and the high blood pressure which developed as a result of the chemo. It's not a moment too soon. Perhaps they will allow cancer patients an allowance on hospital car park fees next.
Chris
Posts: 39 | Location: Effingham, Surrey, UK | Registered: 02 October 2007
Hi Bev, Had a woman came to change my bandages would NOT call her a nurse(a cleaner with high ambitions) was usless and no nothing was ever mentioned to me.
Paul
Posts: 737 | Location: London England | Registered: 06 March 2003
im 23 yrs old...from philippines.. my mother was not yet diagnos with cancer but when we consulted an EENT he said that it will be a cancer if she will be spitting blood already.it means her throat is already having scratches since its swollen. now she is spitting blood.he voice is almost gone..my problem is that we cant send her to a speacialist coz we have no finances..will u pleace give me idea where will i can find help? my mother is loosing weight and getting weak everyday..i am afraid. thank u.
Posts: 2 | Location: philippines | Registered: 27 November 2008
