Help With Health Costs
From 1 April 2006, dental checks and sight tests are free for everyone on the NHS. If you are 19 years old or over, you are more than likely still paying for prescriptions, glasses and other dental treatment.
However, you can apply for help with these costs under the low income scheme. To do this you need to fill in a form called an HC1. You can pick up one of these forms at the SRC Advice Centre in the John McIntyre Building. Some GPs, opticians and dentists stock the forms as well.
Once you have sent away the completed form, the Prescription Pricing Authority determines whether you can afford to pay towards the cost of your treatment, and if so, how much. If you are eligible for help, you receive a certificate. You need to reapply for this every year.
If you’re not exempt from paying for your prescription medicine, but you need more than 14 items in a year, you should consider buying a pre-payment certificate (currently around £95) as this is more cost-effective than paying for each item individually. You can pick up an application form (EC95), or in some cases even buy the certificate, from the pharmacist.
The SRC is currently working to persuade the Scottish Executive to make prescriptions free for full-time students – watch the homepage for news about this.