Link to the Prescription Reimbursement form

(you must be signed into your Cambridge email address and be a member of St Catharine’s)

What is the current charge for an NHS prescription?

The NHS fixed ‘prescription charge’ for withdrawing items of medication as an outpatient (i.e., when attending a GP or hospital clinic) is currently £9.65 and will rise to £9.90 on May 1 2024.

Details on this change can be found at:

https://rb.gy/v35obg.

What is the Catz JCR free prescription scheme?

The JCR has made the decision to fund a trial welfare scheme where Catz JCR students can have current individual prescriptions reimbursed if they so wish.

How will the scheme work?

The scheme operates via reimbursement, with students keeping the receipt issued when they withdraw a prescription, and submitting that, alongside their bank details, via a google form within 2 weeks of purchase.

Are there any eligibility criteria for the scheme?

It is a no means tested scheme; therefore, no medical or financial evidence is needed for participation.

Students must be JCR members at St Catharine’s college to be eligible (if you are unsure if you are a JCR or MCR member please contact the tutorial office)

Payments will only be made for prescriptions (e.g. the scheme does not cover glasses, dentistry etc).

Students on their year abroad are eligible for the scheme if the receipt is for an NHS prescription

Will my medical and financial information be confidential?

No financial information, aside from bank account details, or medical information will be required from students at any point.

The required prescription receipt will not list the item of medication received (instead listing it as a generic item, typically ‘NHS Levy’) therefore giving confidentiality as to the prescription bought.

Responses to the form will only be accessed by the JCR President and Treasurer

When will the scheme start and end?

The scheme will begin when Easter occupancy starts (13/04/24). Initially it will be run as a trial and will most likely halt when Easter occupancy finishes (23/06/24) to be under review over the summer. After this, depending on finances and student feedback, the scheme will hopefully continue in Michaelmas.

How long do I have to send in the prescription after purchase?

Reimbursements will be issued only if the prescription receipt is dated less than two weeks before the form is submitted unless there are extenuating circumstances.

How many prescriptions can I get?

At present, the threshold for prescriptions an individual student can be reimbursed for over the term is three prescriptions. This policy will undergo review following the Easter trial.

What if I need more prescriptions than this

While this program covers only up to three prescriptions per person per term, if you need additional prescriptions and face financial constraints, we encourage you to reach out to your tutor to discuss alternative college funding options

I get a Prescription Prepayment Certificates – can the JCR help with this?

If you purchase a Prescription Prepayment Certificate in Easter term (either covering 3 months or 12 months of prescription costs) the JCR can contribute the equivalent of the maximum threshold towards this (i.e. £29.70).

What are the current government medical exemptions to paying the charge?

Various circumstances exempt individuals from paying for prescriptions. These include being aged 18 and under or being on the NHS Low Income Scheme. For further details on eligibility for exemption, please refer to:

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/prescriptions/check-if-you-can-get-free-prescriptions/

If you have any questions or concerns, please email: jcr.president@caths.cam.ac.uk