Health officers have apologised after the launch of a brand new scheme to chop the price of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) was hit by technical issues.
The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) mentioned it was conscious of individuals “experiencing issues” whereas trying to entry the service on-line.
The new scheme, which got here into pressure on Saturday, reduces the value of menopause therapies to lower than £20 a yr.
The plan was introduced by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in February, saying it could save round 400,000 ladies in England as much as £205 yearly.
Before the rollout, every prescription for HRT price £9.35, or £18.70 if a lady wants two kinds of hormones, and that wanted to be paid as soon as a month or each three months.
Now ladies can get a brand new HRT prescription prepayment certificates for £19.30 per yr to entry a listing of eligible HRT objects, together with patches, tablets and topical preparations, each time they want them.
But ladies have been unable to kind the certificates on-line as a result of points with the NHSBSA web site.
Welsh Labour MP Carolyn Harris posted a picture on Twitter which appeared to indicate the web site had crashed and requested “can anyone actually access the site?”
“This has been so hard fought for by women and they can wait no longer,” she added.
The NHSBSA mentioned it was working to repair the issue, including that ladies will be capable of backdate their certificates in the event that they purchase it at a later date.
A spokesperson mentioned: “We’re aware that some people are experiencing issues when trying to buy an HRT PPC this morning following the introduction of the new service.
“We’re working to place a repair in place as quickly as potential and we apologise for any inconvenience.”
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About 15% of girls aged 45 to 64 in England are at present prescribed HRT, based on DHSC figures.
The remedy might help relieve menopause and perimenopause signs, together with sizzling flushes, night time sweats, mind fog, joint pains, temper swings and vaginal dryness.
It also can scale back the chance of hormone-related well being issues, comparable to osteoporosis and coronary heart illness.
The new certificates may be accessed on-line or in some pharmacies and can imply ladies pay as soon as to entry therapies as many instances as they want all year long.
The certificates consists of entry to eligible HRT objects together with patches, tablets, pessaries and gels and lotions utilized to the pores and skin.
Source: information.sky.com”