Request

1) how many people were fined for not having a valid maternity exemption certificate.

2) Of these people, how many had the fine lifted, but still paid the prescription charge, because they could then provide a certificate.

I would like this data for a years period please, as recent as you can.

Response

I can confirm that the NHSBSA holds the information you have requested.

Please read the below notes to ensure correct understanding of the data.

The date range indicated the date a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) is sent.

When a prescription is received which has been signed as the patient being exempt from prescription charges, a data matching exercise is instigated. If no valid exemption is found through this search / exercise for that patient, an enquiry letter is issued to the patient which invites them to contact us to confirm the exemption that they have in place. 

If a patient has been pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months, they can apply for a Maternity Exemption Certificate. Once issued, they are only required to pay the prescription charge. The penalty charge and surcharge can be removed.

Date range: 10 July 2023 – 4 July 2024

Total Maternity Exemption PCNs Issued: 51,547

Total Maternity Exemption PCNs 'lifted' but the Prescription Paid:19,089

Data Queries

If you have any queries regarding the data provided, or if you plan on publishing, the data please contact foirequests@nhsbsa.nhs.uk ensuring you quote the above reference. This is important to ensure that the figures are not misunderstood or misrepresented.

Reusing the data and copyright

If you plan on producing a press or broadcast story based upon the data please contact communicationsteam@nhsbsa.nhs.uk. This is important to ensure that the figures are not misunderstood or misrepresented.

The information supplied to you continues to be protected by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and is subject to NHSBSA copyright. This information is licenced under the terms of the Open Government Licence detailed at:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Should you wish to re-use the information you must include the following statement: “NHSBSA Copyright 2024” Failure to do so is a breach of the terms of the licence.

Information you receive which is not subject to NHSBSA Copyright continues to be protected by the copyright of the person, or organisation, from which the information originated. Please obtain their permission before reproducing any third party (non NHSBSA Copyright) information.