NHS Debt

[lancer44k]

Hi

 

Been a little while since I last posted on here, so not sure if this is in the correct sub.

 

My wife and I went through a two fully-funded (by the local NHS trust) cycles of IVF back in 2014 resulting in the birth of our beautiful baby girl in 2015. At the time, we were asked if we would like to retain the additional embryos for a ten year period (the maximum allowed I believe under HEFA rules) and at the time I recall ticking the box for 10 year storage on the HEFA form.

 

All is well, until I received a letter (actually, its in my wife's name and there is no mention of me) back in March from our local trust with an invoice demanding payment of £230 for the storage for 2016-2017 and then an additional invoice for £360 for the storage between 2018-2019.

 

I phoned the trust's accounts department who explained that after the initial treatment, the storage of embryos moves to a private patient plan.

They informed me that at the time of agreeing to the storage I would have signed a copy of private patient agreement with an outline of the charges etc and in effect agreeing to the storage etc.

 

At the time, I couldn't recall signing anything other than the HEFA form and didn't remember seeing any charges etc.

I asked for a copy of the form agreeing to the private storage and then left it in their hands.

 

They called back around a week later after speaking with the clinic to inform me that they couldn't find any record of the form other than the original HEFA form.

They told me not to worry about the charges and they would check archives again.

 

Heard nothing back, until I received a letter today from CCI Credit Management for the full amount above.

Just looking for advice on the best way to tackle this?

 

The letter specifically mentions dealing with the DRA from this point forward.

What should I be asking for in terms of seeing if this debt is enforceable?

 

It also throws up a bit of a grey area, as from my understanding,

even if the debt isn't paid or we don't agree to the charges,

they can't destroy the embryos without getting court approval

(please correct me if I'm wrong on this one).

 

Many thanks in advance.

 

Lancer44k

[AndyOrch]

Hi I have moved your thread to the NHS Forum as the debt will still be with them and not assigned to CCI Credit Management which you should Ignore.

 

Deal Direct with the Trust.

 

Andy

[lancer44k]

Hi Andy,

 

Many thanks for taking the time to reply. If I remember correctly, you helped me out back in 2013... wow, seems like yesterday, how time flies!

 

What do you think I should be asking the Trust for in terms of documentation?

 

Thanks

[AndyOrch]

Is it so long....? .yes I do recall your username.

 

Best to start off with a DSAR to the Trust and get all your data...then take it from there...but do not get involved with CCI ...they are mere ambulance chasers...pardon the pun.

[lancer44k]

Thanks Andy 

[Manxman in exile]

I don't have any experience of SARs but I do have experience of working in a NHS trust Finance Dept.

 

To have raised two invoices in March (at least one of them backdated) they would have needed some supporting documentation.  I presume this should be whatever you signed notifying you of the charges (if indeed you signed anything).  That's what you need to see and it is "interesting" that they seem to be unable to supply you with a copy.  (I presume it will come to light under a SAR if in fact it exists - which it may do as you may have forgotten it).

 

If I read your OP correctly, storage started in 2015.  If the charges are legitimate you should have been charged for the financial years 2018/19, 2017/18, 2016/17, 2015/16 and (possibly - depending when storage started) 2014/15.  But you've only been charged for 2016/17 and 2018/19.  Where are the other invoices - or have you got your dates wrong?

 

 

[lancer44k]

Thanks for the reply Maxman. I may have gotten my dates wrong, I'm going to go and pull the invoice that they sent to double check. Myself and my wife definitely can't remember signing anything relating to ongoing storage charges, or charges relating to any future services provided as a private patient.

 

Thanks