Nhs funding

[oneeyedsam]

I am now very confused.

Looking at the prices above and considering I have had one new set of contacts this year, not including my new rgp that I was fitted for after I was told and roughly 5 or 6 eye tests, how could my treatment possibly stand at over £2000 :s and as for the 'others' who's balance is nearer 6000 they must have new lenses every day.

I had two sets last year with an additional replacement as I shrunk one set, and was told that if I damage or lose them again within 3 months I would have to pay for a replacement.

I have quite a few tests throughout the year as my optician struggles to get a prescription for my eyes.

[Ali Akay]

The charges I outlined are the statutory charges the patients pay for contact lenses which is a fixed amount irrespective of the lens type or cost. In other words, £54.70 is the prescription charge for a contact lens. The actual cost of the lenses, chair time and admin time to the hospital varies depending on the lens type and is often considerably more and the Hospital pays the balance. Therefore it is possible for a patient to try rigid lenses followed with soft keratoconus lenses and possibly hybrids or semi-sclerals within a twelve month period and pay only £54.70 per eye but the cost of the lenses alone would run into hundreds of pounds. Add chair time and admin costs and the cost could run into a tidy sum.

[oneeyedsam]

I see. Thank you for the replies

[munster]

The charges I outlined are the statutory charges the patients pay for contact lenses which is a fixed amount irrespective of the lens type or cost. In other words, £54.70 is the prescription charge for a contact lens. The actual cost of the lenses, chair time and admin time to the hospital varies depending on the lens type and is often considerably more and the Hospital pays the balance. Therefore it is possible for a patient to try rigid lenses followed with soft keratoconus lenses and possibly hybrids or semi-sclerals within a twelve month period and pay only £54.70 per eye but the cost of the lenses alone would run into hundreds of pounds. Add chair time and admin costs and the cost could run into a tidy sum.

Hence why Sweden CXL everyone newly diagnosed with KC. Reduces future medical costs.

I would challenge any hospital asking for me to pay more than the outlined charges.

We have a real medical problem that we didn't ask for or even want. I'd gladly have normal corneas, but I haven't, and I have to cope best I can. Do they ask patients to pay for the cost of operations?

No they don't, so they won't come looking at me to pay.

[jtintincampbell1965]

Hi, I am from Walsall West Midlands and have just been told that I can no longer get my lenses funded by the NHS and will have to Pay £400 plus ? How can someone who only works part time afford to pay this every 6 months. I wear one hybrid lens and one soft lens. If I don't have lenses I wont be able to continue to work as I wont be able to see properly. Just don't know what we are supposed to do??? Can anyone offer any advice.
June

[Anne Klepacz]

Hi June,
Were you given any reason why you couldn't get NHS funding any more? As someone with KC and a clinical need for contact lenses, you should be entitled to lenses at NHS prices. Were you getting your lenses from a hospital eye clinic or from a High St optician with a voucher from the hospital?

[jtintincampbell1965]

Hi Anne,
I was attending Walsall Manor Hospital and seeing a specialist that came in from Birmingham called Mr McCutcheon. I rang to make an appointment and was told by his secretary that she could no longer make appointments has all funding from NHS had been stopped. When I asked what I was supposed to do she said I could either pay for the lenses which would cost £400 plus or maybe see my GP to be referred to another hospital? I have seen by GP to be told that this is a problem across the board so there is no point in referring me elsewhere - making some stupid comment about if I were in America I would have to pay ! Which was really helpful, what about the poor people that are unemployed!! At least I do work part time but it is a struggle and I don't feel I can afford this amount every 6 months.

[Anne Klepacz]

I find this very strange and don't understand your GP saying this is a 'problem across the board' as we haven't had any other reports like this from the West Mids. (But if any forum users have recently had a similar situation, please let us know).
Before I try to find out more, could you give me a ring on the KC Group number - 020 8993 4759?
Another thing I'm a bit puzzled about is why you need to replace your hybrid lens every 6 mths. I'm not a hybrid wearer, so don't know if this is normal?

[jtintincampbell1965]

Thank you Anne, I will give you a call on Friday which is my day off from work. The hybrid lens can sometimes last a little longer but after 6months they start to break down, The soft part of the lens starts to get hard and irritate the eye. The specialist did say they last normally 6 - 8months?

[Anne Klepacz]

I keep learning new things on this forum! I hadn't realised hybrids lasted much less time than ordinary rgps - but it makes sense given they have a soft skirt.
I'll hear from you on Friday - please make it before 2pm.