ESA consent to contact GP?

Hi,

I need to post my ESA form off in the next couple of days, so just finishing it off before it's late.
I'm using the online form that I will print off, but I've just noticed it's slightly different to the paper (ESA50 05/18) form they sent me.

The online one (ESA50 08/20) asks for permission to contact my doctor. My GP is lovely, but most of my care is from consultants & she does not really have much of an idea about my overall issues. The last 2 referrals she did me, only have 2 lines written on them & they were both declined due to lack of info. So I don't trust her to fill in an ESA form.....but will I be penalised if I don't give consent?

I am sending them a lot of medical evidence, especially for the mobility question that I should score full points for. I also recently won double enhanced PIP, including not being able to walk 20m and part of my evidence is from 2 OT's stating I can't self propel or use other mobility aids. So I'm hoping (beyond hope?!) for a paper based award into the support group. Fingers crossed!
But I'm also supplying lots of evidence for the other descriptors, including strong support letters from my EDS consultant, ADHD psychiatrist & autism psychologist.

I'm just agonising over this GP consent box?!!??!!

Thank you.

On the new form (ESA50 08/20) that you can download from the .gov site, there is a section on page 18 that you have to select yes or no, to allowing them to gather information from your doctor & other relevant professionals. This is separate to the one on page 22 & the new bit is not in the older paper form they have sent me.

I think I will tick yes, but email my GP a short statement outlining my main issues & ask her to call me if they do happen to contact her then.
I'm worried that they might get suspicious & use my very incorrect PIP assessment instead if I don't. Although the DWP backed down before a tribunal date came through & gave me enough points for a double enhanced award, they only gave me points for my physical issues & refused a single point for any of my mental issues....despite strong medical evidence!
Fingers crossed the ESA claim goes through easier!