Unsupportive GP

Hello

I am very worried because I have to fill in both DLA and ESA renewal forms
next month and I know it is going to be very difficult to get a letter of support
from my GP, who is very dismissive about my long-term depressive illness.

My former GP, who left the surgery mid 2012, was very supportive, and I am sure
her letter helped me get moved from Wrag to Support Group last April.
I have had to ask my present GP more than once for a psychiatric referral,
as I have not been coping at all lately, and it is awful realising she just doesn't
care unless I keep nagging, which is exhausting in itself.

Would it be helpful to send recent letters written by my GP to the Psychiatric
Clinic, and their letter to me regarding an initial assessment {although I haven't
started treatment yet}. Would it be worth sending a copy of the letter my
previous GP wrote for last year's ESA50, or is that too old?

Thank you

Nada678

nada678 wrote: Hello

I am very worried because I have to fill in both DLA and ESA renewal forms
next month and I know it is going to be very difficult to get a letter of support
from my GP, who is very dismissive about my long-term depressive illness.

My former GP, who left the surgery mid 2012, was very supportive, and I am sure
her letter helped me get moved from Wrag to Support Group last April.
I have had to ask my present GP more than once for a psychiatric referral,
as I have not been coping at all lately, and it is awful realising she just doesn't
care unless I keep nagging, which is exhausting in itself.

Would it be helpful to send recent letters written by my GP to the Psychiatric
Clinic, and their letter to me regarding an initial assessment {although I haven't
started treatment yet}. Would it be worth sending a copy of the letter my
previous GP wrote for last year's ESA50, or is that too old?

Thank you

Nada678

Hi N678,

It can be difficult when one's G.P. is unsupportive.

Have you thought of trying another within the practice ?

You only other option would be to change practices, however you could be jumping out of the frying pan into the fire, if the G.P. that you moved to was of the same ilk.

You can of course make a request at the practice for copies of your records, there will be a charge, you do not have to involve your G.P. to do this, it can be done via reception.

See : Requesting your medical records

Although, current G.P. letters, etc are better, you should use any evidence that you have, that may help.

Are you aware of the recent changes regarding ESA and The ESA50, see :

ESA Claims Guides

bro58

hi I had the same problem till I offered to pay for a medical report I had 2 GP's who wouldnt write anything unless DWP asked for information presumably because they get paid , I was disgusted as my old GP would always write letters without payment.
I ended up paying £60 and refused to pay for the 1st one because they hadnt listed all my health problems, so if u do go down the route of paying for a letter make sure it has what u need in it before passing any money over and also ask to pick it up so u can keep original and send copies to anyone U need it for.
Good Luck

teabag wrote: hi I had the same problem till I offered to pay for a medical report I had 2 GP's who wouldnt write anything unless DWP asked for information presumably because they get paid , I was disgusted as my old GP would always write letters without payment.
I ended up paying £60 and refused to pay for the 1st one because they hadnt listed all my health problems, so if u do go down the route of paying for a letter make sure it has what u need in it before passing any money over and also ask to pick it up so u can keep original and send copies to anyone U need it for.
Good Luck

Good advice tb,

It is always best to pick up any G.P. letter of support, etc, personally to check the content, before sending copies.

The thing is that G.P.'s are not comtractually obliged to provide reports and letters for their patients, even if the patient offers to pay.

Whereas, they are contractually obliged to provide reports for The DWP.

bro58