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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Anna Tims

Woman who miscarried fined by NHS for claiming free prescription while pregnant

Sadie Hawkes sitting on bench in well-decorated room with flowers behind
Sadie Hawkes, who lost her baby at nine weeks, was fined for claiming a free prescription, despite being advised by the pharmacist that she could. Photograph: Gary Calton/The Observer

A woman who suffered a miscarriage has been fined by the NHS for claiming a free prescription during her pregnancy.

Sadie Hawkes lost her baby before she had received the maternity exemption certificate that entitled her to free prescriptions throughout her pregnancy and the first year after birth. She has now been sent a demand for £56.10 for medication issued the week before her miscarriage. She’s been told that she can’t apply for a certificate retrospectively as she is no longer pregnant.

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