GP Practice rules

Hello,

I was just wondering whether it is normal for GP practices to have a Practice Policy not to write supporting letters for ESA?

I first claimed ESA in 2013 and the GPs were happy to write several three-month-long sick notes for the two years that it took for my paper based ESA assessment to be completed (I was also in hospital for 12 weeks during the assessment period).

For the past two years I have been unable to go to the GP as a result of my psychiatric illness so I wrote to my GP to ask for support for my ESA this time (reassessment) but a receptionist at the GP Practice intercepted the letter. She initially said I must pay £25 and wait three weeks for a supporting letter but another receptionist has since said that the Practice does not provide letters for ESA and instead they wait for the DWP to contact them with a questionnaire.

I actually think that I would have had more chance of getting a letter if I had been well enough to visit the GP in person and request that he write a brief letter in my presence, so that's annoying. I submitted two letters from my CMHT instead.

I am now a bit concerned because my GP knows very little about my conditions apart from my diagnoses (I had enclosed two letters from the CMHT when I initially tried to contact the GP but obviously my letter and those letters of evidence got intercepted by the receptionist so it hasn't reached the GP) and my GP will not be able to fill in a DWP questionnaire about my conditions accurately.

So do I send the letters from my CMHT along with my own information about each of the descriptors for the GP to see but simply avoid mentioning 'ESA' or 'Benefits' in my letter and ask my Mum to avoid mentioning ESA when she drops the letter at the medical practice? For example I could just write "I have been unable to visit the Medical Practice for two years but have been receiving treatment at the CMHT" but just avoid explaining why I am writing to him?! I could even use it as a way of explaining my absence from Asthma check-ups and other medical check-ups or is there anything else I can do?

Thanks!

Thanks again Gordon.

I hope my GP isn't contacted for an ESA-113 because I think that the letter from my mental health social worker, which also refers to an in-depth report from my old Psychologist (which refers to all the major ESA descriptors and my difficulties with each), is better support for my case.

I might just send a 'For your attention' letter anyway. At the moment one of my conditions makes it impossible to go to GP appointments but if my CBT improves my symptoms then I'll try to make an appointment in the future.

Thanks!