Cancer patients still unaware of free prescription entitlement (02.08.2009)
Since 1st April 2009, all cancer patients have been entitled to free prescriptions, but many are still paying for them. So says Gary Martin, Dimbleby Cancer Care's new Welfare Benefits Adviser who is based at DCC's Support and Information Centres at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals.
Patients could be paying out up to £200 per year when there is no need to do so. "I urge anyone without an Exemption Certificate to ask their GP or consultant for one as soon as possible," says Gary. "It would also be good to get a benefit check to see if there are other benefits you may be missing out on," he says.
The free prescriptions scheme is to be extended at some point to include people with other long term medical conditions.
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Researching areas others don't
Only around 5% of cancer research spending in the UK is on care.
DCC provides up to £1m annually for research into cancer care & support.
Care centres that go beyond medical treatment
Over a quarter of people living with cancer receive no support other than treatment.
DCC's centres provide a range of care, comfort & support that goes beyond just treatment
Dimbleby Cancer Care has a small number of staff, therefore our ability to answer detailed questions on cancer care, symptoms or treatments is limited. However we are pleased to try and help you, by directing you to others who may be able to help.