Benefits Reviews and GP Supporting Letters

I have my PIP review coming up in October and am not expecting any major issues. I had a 6 year award in 2016 and have very overt physical disabilities. I have always been able to get supporting letters for such reviews from my GP. However, like a lot of GP Practises they have stopped doing benefits letters during the pandemic and that still appears to be the case.
Fortunately, I have always kept GP Physio Consultant letters x ray reports etc and have a mass of evidence to provide.
Much of it could be taken as historical but I have many letters and reports stating my issues are lifelong, or as in the case of arthritis chronic and worsening year on year.
Does anyone know if GP's are legally obliged to provide supporting letters? I don't really want to go down the road of getting pushy in that way, as I have a good relationship with my GP, ( when I can get past the rotweiller on the reception desk of course) but if it's absolutely necessary I might have to.
I do have pretty identical letters of support from 2013 onwards which were written for either DLA/PIP revews or for ESA reviews which never happened, as they kept being deferred 2 years at a time. My current intentin is to include all these letters and point out that they show my conditions have remained and even worsened with every passing year ( which they clearly show). Then to explain that my GP Surgery, like many others aren't doing supporting letters due to still being on a pandemic footing. Does anyone else have any experience in this scenario, of having to go to review without up to date GP support as it were? I'm sure both claimants and DWP are more than familiar with this scenario over the last couple of years. Any advice and pointers will be appreciated.

Hi ,
As Bis said there is no legal requirment for GP,s to write a letter, however you can always request a copy of you summary report from the GP, this outlines any medical issue you have and any appointments you have made?

Good luck a current rottweiler

lol

Hello micksville, playing catchup on the posts.

May I ask if your GP practice has Patient 'Online Access'?

My GP practice uses a system called SystemOnline, which allows me to reorder repeat prescriptions, book appointments (Pre-pandemic) access prescribing history, patient records and summary patient record. you are entitled to access your own medical records held by your GP/Medical Practice at no extra cost, subject to the requirements of your practice to do so.

Going forward , I know it's not your GP's supporting letter you mentioned, but It is a very useful source of corroborating information and supporting documentation that claimants are/have been in contact with their GP/nurse/health practitioner about their ongoing health issues etc. Also, it is possible to provide a history of medications that may have been prescribed as well as any referrals made to other specialists.

If you choose to access your medical information in this way, a word of caution, CHECK THOROUGHLY FOR ACCURACY and remove any irrelevant or inaccurate information before using it. Good luck.