When exactly do ATOS/DWP contact your GP?

mumsgirl wrote:

Thanks guys re the comments about the medical records. Do you think I could get a copy of ALL my records (and there will be many volumes!). I read the max charge is £50 - is that right? I asked my GP for a copy a few weeks before I completed my ESA50 and she said there was no point because they are only interested in NOW. But now i'm having suspicions on what she really thinks of me (or maybe it's just a symptom of my illness, paranoia!)

MG, If you really want your records they can't stop you, you don't even have to consult the G.P. just sign a form at reception.

They should all be put on a CD for you to access on you P.C. , so don't worry about having to hire a lorry to get them home, there are 485 pages to mine, all on one CD.

You can then print anything off that may be helpful.

bro58

Yes, thanks Towser. I do see my GP every 6wks-3months. But I read somewhere on here (I think it was this site) that I should ask for my medical notes and that's when my GP said they are only interested in NOW so past notes would be of no use (but I personally would have liked to have seen them because I am nosey!)

mumsgirl wrote:

Thanks guys re the comments about the medical records. Do you think I could get a copy of ALL my records (and there will be many volumes!). I read the max charge is £50 - is that right? I asked my GP for a copy a few weeks before I completed my ESA50 and she said there was no point because they are only interested in NOW. But now i'm having suspicions on what she really thinks of me (or maybe it's just a symptom of my illness, paranoia!)

I think the important question is did you ask for a copy of your medical records or did you ask your GP for her advice on whether you should obtain them?

You are entitled to them regardless of whether it would help your claim, as obviously you may want them out of interest.

I believe £50 is the maximum charge but I don't know if there are any exemptions from the maximum charge (like if you had half a million pages!).

I found when obtaining hospital records for my mother that pensioners were exempt from any charge, but I don't know whether that was just the hospital's policy.

webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/www...ans/FAQ/DH_065886#_9

You guys on here are brilliant! Derek, you are correct - I asked for her ADVICE on whether I should ask for the records!
NONMOD, there's 3 docs in the practice (mine, the one that referred me to the shrink and the support worker, and a MAN!). I don't have anything against the man except that I would be too embarrassed to see him about 'women's' problems (and I don;t know what he's like with mental health). I like the one that referred me (although I only saw her once so it's hard to judge) but I am very worried because she only works part time and it 'getting on', so I would worry that i'll become a 'regular' to her and then she'll leave and i'll have to start with someone else. But I have to say that on the day she referred me I told her I would probably get an ESA50 soon and I asked her what she thought of ATOS, and does she not think they are accusing GPs of being dishonest and she said "ATOS, don't get me started on ATOS" and she said that 'we' would help if I needed to appeal. I just never considered using a different GP in the same practice because I naively assumed that it was 'practice policy' for everything and that if one had an opinion on something then the other 2 would be of the same mentality.

You can actually go to your GP's surgery and obtain a computer print out of medication and illness you suffer.
Dont let them palm you off.

re medical records - if/when I ask for them I just KNOW that they will ask me what I want them for, any ideas what I should say - I really want to read about my mental health over the last 23 and to be nosey about the rest! But if I say I want them for my mental health notes they will again say WHY?
Also, i've been with that practice for 17 years - will they have all my notes from the year dot or will they have them just from 1994, and will I have to contact my previous GP (whose dead!)?