Gp letter to use as evidence

kaisercheef

Hi everyone, I’m going to be asking my gp to write a letter to use as evidence for my mandatory reconsideration. I’m not sure of what to ask him to write. And what other evidence would be good? Is there someone that has any advice of what I would need altogether? I have a appointment with citizens advice next week who are going to help me apply for the mandatory reconsideration.

Thanks Michael

OverlyAnxious

Hi,

GP letters aren't usually good evidence. The GP doesn't see most of your daily difficulties. Some will refuse to write letters. Others will charge a lot for them.

It really depends on the type of conditions you have as to what evidence is best. For example, if you're under any specialists or have any regular care/treatment, those people would be far better suited to writing a letter as evidence. It can even be a relative if they have a good understanding of your practical abilities.

rubin16

Like others have said GP letters are useless when it comes to PIP, as PIP is awarded based on how conditions affect you not on diagnosis's. GP's don't see you outside the surgery so have no real understanding on how conditions affect you at home.

You're better writing down exactly how conditions affect you, with real world examples when you try to do each descriptor. If you have anyone who witnesses you, they can write a witness statement saying they saw you try the descriptor and this happened when you tried etc.

WhatThe

Hi kaisercheef, a print out of any medication you use is relevant medical evidence. Good luck.

MyHappy256

I got a GP letter, cost me £45, as people say it is second tier evidence for PIP, but if DWP contact your GP based on your giving the contact details, it does give them good reference to what you are going to be saying. So they will then write a report back to the DWP based on the letter that they wrote.

Much of what a GP might says in a GP letter is hearsay, because it is based on what you say, so he will write "MrHappy said that his medication causes him to become confused, or Mr Happy says he experiences brain fog, what he is however able to say, is that these are known side effects of the medication MrHappy is taking and known side effects of MrHappy's conditions.

I also found it useful because they can give an overview summary of your conditions, while these are not as relevant to PIP it does put it in context, so in my case he is able to confirm that I am immuno suppressed, so when I fill in the PIP form under communication, I can then point to the fact that I have difficulty socialising and communicating.

Because of my medication I have to follow a special nutritional diet, there are certain food that are in conflict with my medication, GP can establish what these are and for food preparation you can then mention this.

Mostly though I have a ready supply of hospital letters available through the hospital app, together with my blood test scores.

kaisercheef

Thanks everyone for the advice, I sent my repeat prescription in with my review form back in February, unfortunately my decision was based by how I sounded in the phone assessment, as well as some inaccurate information.

WhatThe

"Much of what a GP might says in a GP letter is hearsay"

Much of what a Health Assessor says in a report is hearsay, unfortunately..

I would attach a medication print out, full GP summary, current 'fit note' and any previous ESA or PIP award notice. I would assume that anything already submitted may have been overlooked/not made available to the NEW Decision Maker and send it all again.

FredFlintstone

From my own experience the GP just confirmed my diagnosis, and this was enough for the decision maker.