Woman who miscarried fined by NHS for claiming free prescription while pregnant

Expectant mothers are entitled to free medication, but errors and red tape in applying for maternity exemption certificates leave many with bills of hundreds of pounds

A woman who suffered a miscarriage has been fined by the NHS for claiming a free prescription during her pregnancy.

Sadie Hawkes lost her baby before she had received the maternity exemption certificate that entitled her to free prescriptions throughout her pregnancy and the first year after birth. She has now been sent a demand for 56.10 for medication issued the week before her miscarriage. She's been told that she can't apply for a certificate retrospectively as she is no longer pregnant.