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The Special Rules allow an adult or child who has less than 12 months to live, to get faster access to certain benefits, or to higher benefits, and avoid a medical assessment. The Special Rules apply to anyone who may be nearing the end of life due to age or illness. You or someone on your behalf, can ask a clinician to submit an SR1 Form. However, for claims to Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance, only an appointee or a person who has power of attorney can make a third-party claim on the patient’s behalf. Clinicians can then submit…

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Pension Credit has a notoriously low rate of take-up. More than 800,000 older people living on very low incomes are not claiming Pension Credit they’re entitled to receive. Pension Credit can make a notable difference to people’s lives. Pension Credit is worth more than the top up, because when in receipt of it, you can access a range of other income related benefits such as a free TV licence, council tax deductions, and now the Winter Fuel Payment. Many organisations are working hard to reach out to the community and provide advice and help with Pension Credit and income maximisation. If you…

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The Older People’s Commissioner for Wales has launched a new guide to help older people and their families better understand their rights when accessing their GP practice, and the kinds of services and support that should be available. The guide includes information on a range of topics, from communicating with your practice, to finding the right service and professional, to the support that should be offered to help meet your needs, to what you can do if you’re not happy with the service you are receiving.  Versions of the guide are available in BSL, Audio and Easy Read formats, alongside summaries…

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Everyone in the UK has a legal right to see their own medical or health records under the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). Under GDPR accessing your medical records is free, and you do not have to pay anything. You do not have to explain why you want to see them, and you can nominate someone else, for example a solicitor, to view your records, provided they have written consent. Your request could be refused if a health professional believes seeing the records would be seriously harmful to your physical or mental health. Your medical records include any information about…

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Patients in Conwy are the second community in Wales to use the new electronic prescription service (EPS). Electronic prescriptions are now being sent from Llanfairfechan’s Plas Menai Surgery to two local pharmacies, Boots in Llanfairfechan and Gwynan Edwards in Penmaenmawr. EPS allows GPs and other healthcare prescribers to send prescriptions securely online to a community pharmacy chosen by the patient. Clinicians no longer have to print and sign the familiar green paper prescription form, which has been used to dispense medicines in Wales for more than 60 years. There is also no need for patients or pharmacy staff to pick…

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The ‘severely mentally impaired’ (SMI) council tax discount is a reduction off a household’s council tax bill, worth at least 25%, and in some cases up to 100%. The payments can be backdated, as well as receiving future discounts. SMI is a medical diagnosis, but the underlying cause could be a condition such as dementia (or Alzheimer’s), Parkinson’s, severe learning difficulties or having had a stroke. It will depend on each individual case and simply having been diagnosed as SMI doesn’t automatically mean they qualify for the discount. A doctor must also certify they are severely mentally impaired. GPs are…

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Although not the same as having a branch of your bank service nearby, Banking Hubs make it easier to do your banking face to face, whoever your bank. Located in communities across the UK, some are operated by Post Office and some by Cash Access UK, both in partnership with major high street providers. The Hubs offer a counter service, where customers of any bank can carry out regular banking transactions such as pay in cash and cheques, withdraw cash, check your balance, pay utility bills, or top up gas or electricity. There are also private spaces where customers can…

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