Asked to pay for needle disposal

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I had an experience this week that reduced me to tears in public. Something that all the pain, side effects and worry have not managed so far. I don’t really understand why I was so upset other than to say it seems so unjust.

I’m having chemotherapy prior to surgery and have just had my 4th session. For 7 days after each session I self inject the bone marrow booster, Filgrastim. At my first session my local hospital gave me a sharps box for safe needle disposal and told me to hand the full one in at my doctor’s surgery in exchange for a replacement. What the surgery actually gave me was a prescription form and told me to pick it up at the nearest pharmacy. At no point did anyone explain that I would be asked to pay £4 for an empty plastic box and the priveledge of safely disposing of the needles. I felt so stupid and humiliated because it hadn’t occurred to me that I would need to pay and didn’t have any money with me. The pharmacy staff were very understanding but I still left without the box.

Has anyone else been asked to pay for needle disposal?

Jan

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I can’t believe this has happened to you Jan. WHere I live in Bristol they either provide you with a needle snipper so that you can put your sharps in the usual rubbish or yo can put them in an ice cream container (or the like) and take them along to any local clinic. And you shouldn’t be paying for prescriptions either - any one having treatment can get an exemption certificate - your GP practice should give you a ‘cancer treatment exemption form’ which you fill in, give back to them for them to sign and send off and you will be exempt without review for 5 years…

I’d speak to the practice manager to sort this out…

Big love Td xx

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Thanks Td,

I live in Scotland so it might be different here but I’ll certainly ask the practice manager about an exemption certificate. I have been paying for prescriptions because I’m still earning. I didn’t mind for things where I’m getting some benefit but I really don’t think I should have to pay for an empty plastic box. The stuff I get from the hospital pharmacy is free and the nurses in the cancer ward are very good at making sure I get all the drugs I need from there.

Thanks for the tip. I’ll check it out.

Jan

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  • just looked in ‘living with breast cancer’ - financial - post about prescriptions there - you’re right - it doesn’t cover Scotland. So that’s a bugger!Lobby your parliament!!!

But the needle snip thing from the hospital pharmacy is a possibilty. Or point out how much money you’re saving the health providers by not having a district nurse in to administer your injections!

Good luck

Td x

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When I was using needles etc for flushing my hickman line I had one of the yellow boxes and just had to return it to the hospital and get a replacement. Why are you not able to do that?

Dawn

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Thanks for checking it out Td.

I’ll get a new box from the hospital next time I’m there but I’ll also write to my MSP. I know we have done a lot in Scotland by reducing prescription charges, and we generally pay less than in England, but I’m pretty sure this is one that has dropped below the radar.

Dawn, I think the hosp (reasonably) assumed the GP surgery would give me one for free and it would be more convenient to exchange them there. One hand doesn’t know what the other is doing.

Jan xx

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Several years ago my mum had a similar encounter (as a diabetic). I was furious. I’m not sure whether she has to pay now as she is now with a different GP in another county. As for being reduced to tears, I would say it was perfectly understandable - its often the seemingly petty things that have me bawling. Strangely, too, the tears usually stop as quickly as they started - and then I feel embarrassed. I hope you are feeling a little less upset.

Naz

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I have to inject clexane everyday so the council provide a service whereby they collect and replace my yellow bucket once a month, nut whilst i was going through chemo, I just used to take my small yellow container with me when I went for chemo and they took it and gave me a new one, I’m sure it would be a lot easier for you to hand it in and get one on your visits to the hospital,as they have them right there to hand.

SS

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Hi Jan

I live in Scotland and I pay for needle disposal and I pay for my prescriptions. I have the usual yellow boxes (now ask for two)which once full I try to take to the Glasgow Homoeopathic Hospital - they administer my treatment and don’t charge for emptying. I’ve been working it this way for a few years now so I’m a bit out of touch with what I was charged at the doctor’s surgery. I can remember at the time thinking it didn’t seem right to charge. The prescription charge in Scotland is £38.00 per year. I know this is factual because I paid it last week.

Take care.

Jeannie