How much for a GP's 'supporting evidence' letter?

GettinOlde

Anyone had any experience of this?

debsidoo

Hi @GettinOlde
I didn’t have to pay anything for my G.P. supporting letter.The only thing I had to pay was £30 for copies of scan results and other hospital reports from my G.P.
This was my fault as I had only kept recent ones and needed some from a few years back. Some G.P.s will charge just as they do for signing documents such as passports etc.
     Debsidoo.x

poppy123456

HI,

It very much depends on the GP, some won't charge but most will. GP letters aren't the best evidence to send because they don't really tell them how your conditions affect you. If you have to pay then maybe it's not worth it.

You're much better off requesting your medical records and seeing what you can use from there. It's free to have digital copies of all your medical records.

GettinOlde

@debsidoo

Thanks for that, I had tried searching online but was getting various results. I'm expecting a telephone appointment with my GP Friday and didn't want to cause any embarrassment by asking over the phone

GettinOlde

poppy123456 said:

You're much better off requesting your medical records and seeing what you can use from there. It's free to have digital copies of all your medical records.

I use SystmOnline for my repeats and notice there is a Full Clinical Record service but says it isn't available at my practice, although there is also a request button next to it that I tried which seemed to work - have to wait and see.

poppy123456

My medical records are also not available online, i'm not sure if anyone's is to be honest.  To request them i would need to speak to the receptionist at the DR's surgery.

GettinOlde

poppy123456 said:

My medical records are also not available online, i'm not sure if anyone's is to be honest.  To request them i would need to speak to the receptionist at the DR's surgery.

https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/gps/gp-online-services/

GettinOlde

P.S. An email from HM Courts and Tribunal Service - Your ESA appeal: appeal lodged

Sending evidence to support your appeal

Useful evidence shows how your condition affects your life, for example a letter from your doctor or someone who lives with you or knows you well. It should focus on what you could and could not do at the time of the decision.

The irony is that much condition has worsened since the time of the decision.

Hart86

It varies by surgery! Mine charge £25(!!) for any sort of letter. 😔

poppy123456

They won't be able to take into consideration any worsening of condition. My advice about a GP letter is correct, especially if you have to pay for it. A GP very rarely knows anything about your condition and the only information they would be able tell them is medication and appointments. If they know anything else it's usually because we tell them.

GettinOlde

poppy123456 said:

They won't be able to take into consideration any worsening of condition.

Hence "irony".

How about letters from the doctor at the Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases? I have copies of letters sent to my GP, so in theory, my GP should be aware of my condition, although I know for certain that these letters aren't always read properly.

poppy123456

Well, it's your decision whether you pay for the letter or not but i wouldn't pay my GP for any letter. Even with hospital letters being sent to him he still doesn't know how i'm affected by my conditions.

GettinOlde

Well, I'm hoping mine does know my conditions, he has agreed to carry on prescribing medication asked of him by the HRD and has agreed to monitor my bloods, and I do tell him of my capabilities and limitations which he appears to listen to.

What about I personal reference from a friend? It won't be in a professional capacity though.

CockneyRebel

poppy123456 said:

My medical records are also not available online, i'm not sure if anyone's is to be honest.  To request them i would need to speak to the receptionist at the DR's surgery.

I have full access to all my records on line. I had to request it and supply two forms of ID even though I have been with the same GP for 30 odd years. They will not give you access to your records if they contain anything that could be detrimental

CockneyRebel

GettinOlde said:

Well, I'm hoping mine does know my conditions, he has agreed to carry on prescribing medication asked of him by the HRD and has agreed to monitor my bloods, and I do tell him of my capabilities and limitations which he appears to listen to.

What about I personal reference from a friend? It won't be in a professional capacity though.

Signed testamonials from friends and familly that know you well can help. A testamonial is more like a sworn statement than just a letter

GettinOlde

CockneyRebel said:

I have full access to all my records on line. I had to request it and supply two forms of ID even though I have been with the same GP for 30 odd years. They will not give you access to your records if they contain anything that could be detrimental

Personally detrimental or to the tribunal hearing?

poppy123456

CockneyRebel said:

poppy123456 said:

My medical records are also not available online, i'm not sure if anyone's is to be honest.  To request them i would need to speak to the receptionist at the DR's surgery.

I have full access to all my records on line. I had to request it and supply two forms of ID even though I have been with the same GP for 30 odd years. They will not give you access to your records if they contain anything that could be detrimental

Thanks. What i meant was the aren't available to me because i haven't requested them. If i did then they would be available.

poppy123456

GettinOlde said:

CockneyRebel said:

I have full access to all my records on line. I had to request it and supply two forms of ID even though I have been with the same GP for 30 odd years. They will not give you access to your records if they contain anything that could be detrimental

Personally detrimental or to the tribunal hearing?

Personally.

debbiedo49

£30

poppy123456

debbiedo49 said:

£30

It depends on the GP. Mine charges £25.

April2018mom

This varies from GP to GP. I would ask. 

GettinOlde

I had a telephone appointment with my GP, he said to send him an email stating what I'd like him to write - £0.00.

poppy123456

That's what's known as patient lead letters and are not classed as evidence.

Ails

My GP charges £10 for a letter.  

GettinOlde

poppy123456 said:

That's what's known as patient lead letters and are not classed as evidence.

Would you explain what the difference is - I can't find any online reference to "patient lead letters"

poppy123456

GettinOlde said:

I had a telephone appointment with my GP, he said to send him an email stating what I'd like him to write - £0.00.

Telling your GP what to write is a patient lead letter and not evidence because you've told them what to write. This is mostly why GP letters aren't the best evidence because they very rarely know how your conditions affect you.