Mum hit with fine for claiming free prescriptions without document

Last year, the NHS issued some 38,000 letters questioning the eligibility of women who claimed a maternity exemption, according to the Guardian.

More than 80 percent of these queries resulted in a penalty charge notice as they could not provide a valid certificate.

A spokesperson for the NHS Business Services Authority said: “The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) administers maternity exemption certificates, as well as other NHS exemption certificates, on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

“Patients who are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months need a maternity exemption certificate before they are entitled to free NHS prescriptions.