GPs not providing medical letters for illness

My GP has previously provided letters detailing my condition and how it affects me. However he had refused to provide one for ESA50 because he says that the current legal situation is now too complex and litigatious and that he does not have the appropriate knowledge and expertise to comment on illness. My CMHT care co-ordinator is a social worker so my GP is the medical professional I see most frequently.

He did say he would provide a report if ATOS asked him to. I assume this will be the ESA133. I do not know how he will be able to provide that report when he will not understand the descriptors.

Is there a trend emerging for GPs not to provide letters now?

Neither the GPs for whom I worked nor those with whom I am registered will do letters in support of DWP claims. This has been the situation for many years, not a new thing in response to the recent changes.

Sundries wrote:

My GP has previously provided letters detailing my condition and how it affects me. However he had refused to provide one for ESA50 because he says that the current legal situation is now too complex and litigatious and that he does not have the appropriate knowledge and expertise to comment on illness. My CMHT care co-ordinator is a social worker so my GP is the medical professional I see most frequently.

He did say he would provide a report if ATOS asked him to. I assume this will be the ESA133. I do not know how he will be able to provide that report when he will not understand the descriptors.

Is there a trend emerging for GPs not to provide letters now?

Hi S,

There does seem to be an increasing trend in G.P.'s refusing letters of support with respect to benefits.

They complain that they are inundated with such requests.

Another option would be to request copy of your G.P. and/or Hospital, records, there will be a charge though, therefore you should only consider this if you feel that any information in these records will be helpful to your ESA WCA.

For example, if you see a consultant, they do send post clinic letters to your G.P.

See :

Charging for medical records

Requesting your medical records

You can request your G.P. records at reception, without even seeing your G.P., and for Hospital records PALS will assist.

bro58