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GP supporting evidence
- Henrietta Hastings
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4 years 6 months ago #252929 by Henrietta Hastings
GP supporting evidence was created by Henrietta Hastings
I’m researching problems claimants face getting medical evidence from GPs and hospital staff to include with claims. Anecdotally it seems more and more GPs are refusing to do this now, and those who will are charging £30-£40 per letter. I’m also looking at how influential these letters are. EG one doctor Tribunal member said she doesn’t read them at all...It all seems to be a complete lottery. Would anyone with recent, 2019-2020, experience, good and bad, please get in touch. Confidentiality assured. Thank you in advance. HH.
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- BIS
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4 years 6 months ago #252931 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic GP supporting evidence
Hi hh
Many doctors are refusing to do letters until they hear from the DWP. This is difficult for claimants as the DWP rarely contact GP's so it makes it very difficult to get evidence.
I don't think many tribunal members would say that they do not read the letters because tribunal members are supposed to read through every piece of paperwork submitted. Any claimant not winning the appeal would probably win at an upper-tribunal for their case not being properly considered.
How influential the letters from GP's are I think depends on the quality of the letter and the people reading them. A recent letter, shows at least the claimant has had contact with a GP. Sometimes the GPs can put in things that could be potentially 'damaging' to a claim (without meaning to) by saying for instance that a claimant can walk further than they actually can. So in my view, the letters can have a positive, negative and occasionally neutral influence.
BIS
Many doctors are refusing to do letters until they hear from the DWP. This is difficult for claimants as the DWP rarely contact GP's so it makes it very difficult to get evidence.
I don't think many tribunal members would say that they do not read the letters because tribunal members are supposed to read through every piece of paperwork submitted. Any claimant not winning the appeal would probably win at an upper-tribunal for their case not being properly considered.
How influential the letters from GP's are I think depends on the quality of the letter and the people reading them. A recent letter, shows at least the claimant has had contact with a GP. Sometimes the GPs can put in things that could be potentially 'damaging' to a claim (without meaning to) by saying for instance that a claimant can walk further than they actually can. So in my view, the letters can have a positive, negative and occasionally neutral influence.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- Waylay
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4 years 6 months ago #252966 by Waylay
My GP charged me £20. He wrote a really good letter, partly because he's gone through the ESA and PIP processes for his son, and partly because he's known me for many years.
My assessor ignored it, but clearly he didn't even read my form, so not surprising. Not sure about MR or Tribunal.
I've heard from several places that GP letters are often disregarded, both because DWP/assessors assume that GPs are "on the side of the claimant" & because many/most GPs don't actually know how claimants are affected by their conditions, or only know because claimants tell them, so their evidence isn't very useful.
I've been unable to get letters from several consultants at all, as they simply don't have time to write them.
Replied by Waylay on topic GP supporting evidence
Hi there,
My GP charged me £20. He wrote a really good letter, partly because he's gone through the ESA and PIP processes for his son, and partly because he's known me for many years.
My assessor ignored it, but clearly he didn't even read my form, so not surprising. Not sure about MR or Tribunal.
I've heard from several places that GP letters are often disregarded, both because DWP/assessors assume that GPs are "on the side of the claimant" & because many/most GPs don't actually know how claimants are affected by their conditions, or only know because claimants tell them, so their evidence isn't very useful.
I've been unable to get letters from several consultants at all, as they simply don't have time to write them.
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- denby
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4 years 6 months ago #253003 by denby
Replied by denby on topic GP supporting evidence
Our daughter now makes sure to see her preferred GP within the practice when a form is due to be filled, so anything said is based on a recent genuine contact, even if little has changed. This is particularly important as a significant part of her issues are mental health but since the local outpatient unit was closed it is down to her GP to 'manage'[ie keep prescribing same meds].
Then I call the admin team and talk my most sweetly including making it very clear I will pay whatever is asked for the letter I am requesting. Their charge was £35 plus VA last time amounting to £42 total [2020]. Fortunately so far, although the letters have not been absolutely perfectly worded they were pretty close and have had the desired effect. I always ask for them to be sent to me so if too wrong I could at least not send, and I know what it is they have been sent. It also means the letter and form arrive together avoiding risk of failure to join them up by DWP.
Hope this helps, Denby
Then I call the admin team and talk my most sweetly including making it very clear I will pay whatever is asked for the letter I am requesting. Their charge was £35 plus VA last time amounting to £42 total [2020]. Fortunately so far, although the letters have not been absolutely perfectly worded they were pretty close and have had the desired effect. I always ask for them to be sent to me so if too wrong I could at least not send, and I know what it is they have been sent. It also means the letter and form arrive together avoiding risk of failure to join them up by DWP.
Hope this helps, Denby
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