cost of GP letter

chiarieds

@pollyanna1052 thank you for your kind words. I can still see little Mark's face 40 years later. it was a privilege to work with some of the patient's I had, especially the children.

Adrian_Scope

Hi @chiarieds, thank you for sharing your stories of your time working with the NHS, it was a really moving read and I'm sure you made a big difference to the lives of the people you mentioned (and many more). 

chiarieds

Thank you @Adrian_Scope. I became a physio as I really wanted to help people. Some of my patients made a big difference in my life. I have also had many occasions to be grateful for my physio training, with my children having different problems & then researching to find out more to help our family & others. Many of you really help people in this community; I just helped in a different way.

28hopel

I paid £60 and it was only 3 lines?

poppy123456

28hopel said:

I paid £60 and it was only 3 lines?

This is exactly why a letter from a GP isn't the best evidence.

chiarieds

Hmm...so playing Devil's advocate here, what is the best evidence? I must admit that I would be disappointed to pay £60 & only receive 3 lines, but can it be argued that therefore any GP's letter is not the best evidence?

Perhaps the best evidence is your own. I can only comment on the PIP process. You fill in this 'How Your Disability Affects You' booklet....some said to exaggerate it; fill it in as if it was my worst days.... I completed it honestly. When questioned by the Health Care Professionals at my assessments (did have 2 as apparently the first was incomplete) I was then just reiterating the truth of how my conditions affect me.....so no contra-indications as to my veracity.

Over the years various consultants I've met have been kind enough to send me a copy of their letters. Almost invariably I have found that they contained errors..... one Professor I saw even asked me to re-write them after I emailed his secretary underlining what he thought had been said, & putting in brackets what was indeed factual.

A person's evidence may be the best evidence. Anything else to corroborate that may be beneficial. It may depend, as far as your GP goes, as to whether they have a good understanding of your disorder/disability....whether they understand the PIP descriptors....whether they have seen you often & understand how your problems affect you; whether you have a good rapport with them & feel they may be able to help you. There are so many variables.

I argue (with the greatest respect to the OP & others) that a blanket assumption that a GP's letter may not help may be incorrect.....it all depends. Any supporting evidence you may have such as Consultant's letters, Physio/OT reports, test results, etc. should of course be used if they corroborate your information correctly.

paffuto10

@chiarieds

Same here with copy letters. 

Every time I see anyone who will be writing to my GP, I ask them to send me a copy. 

These are what I am using for my PIP renewal assessment next week. 

Fingers crossed.!!! 

Aarrggh..........

chiarieds

@paffuto10 I hope all goes well with your PIP renewal assessment next week. Great you have copies of letters sent to your GP!

pollyanna1052

paffuto10 said:

@chiarieds

Same here with copy letters. 

Every time I see anyone who will be writing to my GP, I ask them to send me a copy. 

These are what I am using for my PIP renewal assessment next week. 

Fingers crossed.!!! 

Aarrggh..........

Good luck with your renewal assessment x

paffuto10

@pollyanna1052
@chiarieds

Thankyou, both of you x