gp refusing to provide support letter for pip

anthonyj1

My pip reclaim has arrived with very little time to send back, my gp practise refuses to provide letter even with payment. any suggestions it is really stressing me out.

Any help would be appreciated

Ross1975

I made an appointment with my doctor not specifically to speak about PIP (I may have not been given the appointment if I made it clear to health centre that it was about PIP) but to talk about me wanting to go onto a higher dose of medication. At the end of the appointment I said I hope you don't mind me asking but could you give me a supporting letter for PIP? And gave him my print out of the issues I have which are related to certain PIP descriptors, he said he will write me a letter, and asked me to hand in my print out at reception for them to scan it in.

I hand in the print out at reception, a few days letter I get a text saying they don't give out supporting letters for PIP.

I left it a few weeks, and made another print out, this time I made sure there was no mention of PIP on it, and I also wrote at the top of the letter in bold (Please scan this in for Dr **** as it is what he has requested, it is very important, thank you) as I thought if they know it's what the doctor has requested rather than just me wanting them to do it it should make it more likely that they will scan it in for him.

A few days later I get a text saying the doctors letter is ready for me to pick up.

anthonyj1

Thanks for your reply, when you say about the print out of the issues you have, was this just a document you had written/typed up? And when you handed it in the 2nd time what did you say you needed the letter for?

worried33

Doctors can be very judging, I wouldnt make an appointment just to get a letter, especially if you havent seen them for a long time.
I have noticed as an example my current GPs at my surgery, seem to play down every single issue deliberately. Treating autism as social anxiety as one example, and doing everything they can to avoid secondary care. When they act like this it would be hard to get a letter.
When I did get support it was from a GP close to retirement, who isnt part of the "new NHS" mantra, and had so many appointments and things that she witnessed, she had no problem at all giving me evidence. But I feel I will never have a GP like that again.

Ross1975

Yes, it was a document I wrote on my computer and I printed it out. I've attached a pic of it so you can get a better idea of what it was like and it may help you for when you create yours. It might be best to have your name, phone number, date of birth and NHS number on it (I've scrubbed it out on mine since it may not be a good idea for me to be giving out my private info online).

I didn't say that I needed a letter, I just said Dr ***** has requested for this to be scanned in, it's very important.

If they would've asked me what it was for I would've told them it's background information that he's asked for.

Grumpy1314

If a GP is refusing to speak to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) (DWP) about a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claim, you should escalate with the GP practice, then escalate to their PALS service, and if still unresolved, contact your Member of Parliament or a welfare rights charity for support. You can also try the “write the letter yourself” approach, and if that fails, you may be able to pursue a formal complaint against the GP practice

luvpink

My Doctor said they had instructions telling them not to supply supporting letters as they will be shredded and disregarded.

Hopeless

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1061380#Comment_1061380

My GP has said the same. They used to provide supporting letters but last time mine was up for review they said there was no point in me paying for a letter that will be shredded. They did reassure me that they would be supportive if contacted though and I know they have been in the past

anthonyj1

thank you for all your replies, i just think well know all the systems and supposed support systems are becoming more and more inaccessible. i have so many issues to deal with thgis year and the help is just not there, you just get fobbed off by gps mental health teams, my welfare rights service is closed, cab when you get through are not helpful, councillors and mps are not interested, its leaving people like us with nowhere to turn.

and ive just recently received my pip reclaim, which wasn't due till next year, i have had to contact to extend the return date, and they said it is early as it is taking a year to assess reviews, but they have still only given me to the 17t sept. i have been trying this morning for an email for the practice manager to submit a subject acccess request for my medical documents, this has proved difficult. i know one of the receptionists there and i dont want her knowing my businness, so this is why i wanted the practice managers direct email and they were still fobbing me off, so i emailed the general email asking for a call about my records, they replied saying i had to submit it online. ive checked on the gp website and it clearly states to contact the practice manager and a form to download and complete to EMAIL. them., no mention of online for. Wasted time again., no support, incorrect advice, all these issues i have been experiencibng this year have made me feel very vulnerable and scared.

the gp practice will probably delay providing my medicxal documents so i will not be able to sumbt threm with my claim form.

any further advice I would be exterenely grateful

Zipz

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1061387#Comment_1061387

If you haven't already, write a Subject Access Request to the Practice Manager for relevant documents. They have to respond:

https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/getting-copies-of-your-information-subject-access-request/