May I suggest that anyone undergoing an operation at the Lister should ask in advance what painkilling medication will be required afterwards. My recent experience is that it was only once I had reached the hospital that I had no option but to be charged

May I suggest that anyone undergoing an operation at the Lister should ask in advance what painkilling medication will be required afterwards.

My recent experience is that it was only once I had reached the hospital that I had no option but to be charged prescription prices for medication that I would normally only pay a couple of pounds for over the counter.

I did not mind the extra cost to me too much, being grateful that the operation was successful. However, what grated was that after I was well enough to return to the hospital to pay the balance due, it later took several phone calls and a fair bit of administrative effort to match up the payment and stop the stream of demands for payment from coming through my letterbox.

I am sure that the NHS must have had to pay the cost of my prescriptions several times over in postage, administration and phone calls. And, of course, the stress of it all is not good for patient recovery either.

I do wonder whether those responsible for this system of charging are aware of the resources that it takes out of the NHS in administration, which could be better spent on patient care.

It is my hope that most patients are informed in advance of what medication they will require, so that they can purchase them over the counter, before their visit to hospital.

If not, then maybe this is something which could be addressed to help make our NHS money go further.

NAME AND ADDRESS WITHHELD