DLA TO PIP RUNAROUND

My journey through pips is only one month, but I have learned spending £50 to request your nhs file is really a waste of time, this has been my experience. I got the last 10 years worth of notes only and the main hospital documentation was missing. Its only good for your information as a guide to dates etc.

As a lot of the information is old, I would suggest you start the process off again with your doctor requesting to be referred to all the clinics you have been to, get all your meds/aids updated you then have updated information and 'on the system'. Saves running around like a 'headless chicken' and nobody is even interested in reading the documentation anyway!

Older records can be a way of proving to a tribunal panel that your health problems are consistent and that all you have claimed regarding how your health impacts you has been recorded over the years by GPs and hospital consultants. It can act as a back up to your case. I got all my medical records, going back to childhood. I sorted out the relevant records and letters, but also read all the interesting chatter that has been going on between various HCPs over the years. I personally found it fascinating how many hospital notes were wrong and clearly talking about another patient! Worth knowing as this is what GPs are reading about you. My £50 was the best money I have ever spent. I was able to prove that all the doctors had got my diagnosis wrong through NOT reading my historical notes properly. I was DX as Lupus and Hughes Sydrome. I actually have Sjogrens Syndrome. It was all there, every symptom and confirmed by checking blood test results. I would never have had the proof without seeing my records!
I agree the DWP/ATOS et al will not bother to read your records but a tribunal will probably want to see them.