Letter of Support from GP for ESA

Hi,
I would appreciate some advise from forum members re a letter of support from our GP for my husbands claim for ESA.
My husband was diagnosed with MND in 1992 Then in 1996 the original diagnosis was doubted and he was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. He cannot use is arms or hands, Weakness of the legs, Scoliosis of the Spine causing severe mobility problems he uses a wheelchair. He also has difficulty swallowing has to have is food specially prepared condensed etc. he has weakness of the neck wears a neck colar also a hand splint He is also Diabetic is Incontinent has Hypertension, Diverticulitus has a in-operable Hernia, Bowel problems Osteo-arthritis and suffers from severe depression.
Here lies the problem, my husband has been receiving Incapacity Benefit since 1994. In anticipation of the migration to ESA in April 2011 I mentioned to our GP we would like a letter of support to accompany ESA claim form as this would help towards maybe exemption fron Atos medical placed in the support group etc.
I was very suprised when he said he could not give me a letter because he did not know how my husband condition impacted on his daily needs. I am my husbands carer and my GP sees my husband and I on a regular basis.In fact he is coming out this week to give my husband his flu jab.
I cant find any sample letters of support to show my GP, I would be most grateful for any advise or if anyone would be kind enough to PM a draft of a support letter that might be acceptable to my GP.
Sorry for being long winded.
Thsnks

is there not another GP in your practice that could help? your GP has the full medical history so should be able to do a report.

Hi, I am so sorry for you and your husband. My GP would not write me a letter as it was against Practice policy to do so. However, he would be able to reply to a request from someone else, ie; the CAB.

Also, you can request copies of your husbands notes from the surgery. Mine cost me £15.

I really hope things get better for you soon.

Best wishes,
Rachel

There are some excellent guides on here that may well help you.
It does sound as if your GP has not really got the jist of this, does nt it? If he has to actually come out to you and given the severe extent of your husbands limitations, i am surprised that he is ignorant as to his needs?
Some doctors appear to separate themselves from thier patients "domestic" needs which is not that helpfull. I am sure if you sat him down and pointed out the extent of any resulting hardship, he might get the point. However as your husbands problems are that severe, you may well stand a good chance of getting into the support anyway. Obviously you will need documentation, everybody needs to back claims up with medical evidence but hopefully as you have been on IB for some time you will already have had to provide them with the stuff that they needed. I am wondering if you could get your original neurologist onboard if you had one as they will give a very clear indication of the likelyhood of any improvement. Have a look at any appointment letters you have for any but mostly for the main neurological condition and give the secretary a call and ask them if they would be willing to provide any evidence, follow it up in writing. I am sure that they would help under the circumstances.
This change is going to impact upon us all and the onus is on us to gather evidence from looking at the latest draft, however they are also saying that they will use existing info as far as possible so you may be in that catergority and the need to produce reams of stuff is negated.
Hope this helps
Callisto

Hello Again,
Thanks for your replies and imput. I am very grateful. Callisto I think you are right in your assumption that our GP does not realise the financial implications and how a letter of support from him can make such a differance. Especially when you totally benefit dependant, as we are.
As I said in my original post he is coming out to see us this week and I will stress to him how important a letter/report regarding my husbands medical conditions is to our benefit claim. What do forum members think if I asked him to write, For example,
This patient has a serious Neurogical condition plus other medical problems overtime his condition has progressively deteriorated to the effect he requires a 24 carer.In my opinion he is not fit for work and because of his physical and psyhcological needs if placed in a working environment he would be a serious health risk to himself and others.
As I have stated we are finding it very difficult to find the right words to put into a letter that woud be acceptable to our GP.On balance over the years our GP has been more than helpful especially over the the last few years has my husbands condition has worsened. I dont want to alieniate him because my husband has not seen a neurologist for 14 years! and it was a case of there is nothing more we can do for you. Our GP has been our main point of contact.
I find it so disheartening over the last 22 years during my husbands illness we have a raised a family and my hubbie has stoically put up with his condition and what seems like a simple request ie a doctors letter to give to the DWP it could have a major financial impact on our lives.Incidentally m husband worked for the DWP for 16 years(I KNOW BOO! HISS!)They medically retired him in 1994.
Any how I digress so what do forumites think of my attempt at a sample letter of support? Do you think it would be acceptable to our GP? Any imput,guidance advise would be most welcome.
Thankyou

Hi Harrylyon

I don't think most GPs would like you to tell him what to write or put words in his mouth, but by all means fully explain to your GP how your husband's condition affects him (if he doesn't already know) and persuade him to write a supporting letter.

You might also consider obtaining a copy of your GP's notes to see if they contain any supporting evidence.

I notice from your original post that you are trying to obtain evidence in anticipation of your husband being assessed for ESA. If this is the case, I should point out that a letter from your doctor may not be of any help if it is out of date by the time your husband is assessed. It may be better to keep your doctor updated and ask if he can provide a supporting letter when the time comes.

Good luck

Derek