Nat West want proof that I am ill

yellowduck_2

Fighting this horrible organisation to try and stop them putting a charging order on my home, they refuse to accept token payments and say that the fact that I am on ESA and am not working is not a reasonable cause for me to be unable to pay my loan to them. They now want me to fax them evidence of my health conditions, e.g consulatant's letter, CPN's letter, my prescriptions as proof. I can supply all this info but some of the details in the letters are highly sensitive and private, e.g. my gynaecoligical (can't spell) history and some very private stuff that led to me have major depressive illness. Also will they even understand what the various medications that I am on are for? Or will they just google it? They say that if they consider that I am genuinely ill they will consider token payments. Can they do this? I said to them surely the fact that I have passed a DWP medical is proof that I am ill, they said no it was not!!

GeorgeUK

You are not required to provide them with this information.

I would ask your doctor to write a letter to them proof rather than going through all that.

yellowduck_2

They have told me to write on the prescription photocopies what the medication is for. The letter from my CPN says at the top that the contents are not to be disclosed to anyone without her express permission. I feel that Nat West are bullying me, they say that I could be lying about being ill, I have sent them a photocopy of my benefit notification but they claim never to have recieved this. Oddly they never seem to recieve any letters that I send (really ought to use recorded delivery) but I get everything they send to me!. They are totally doing my head in and stressing me out

DarkConvict

If you are suffering from serve depression, you maybe protected under the national standards of enforcement act, you maybe considered to be a vulnerable person for mental health reasons.

OFT guidelines are not clear on this, but as details maybe embarrassing i can only suggest you get a letter from the doctor, and get him to confirm in the details of his letter that details of your condition are both confidential and not relevant to debt repayment. All they need to know is on medical approval you have been granted ESA.

I am aware you have to attend 1 or more meetings with you CPN and be assessed before getting ESA for depression.

So a Doctors letter, GP, and then maybe one from your attending doctor at the physiatric hospital or your CPN.

Tixy

You absolutely do not have to provide this info for them. I would have thought the fact that you are on ESA is sufficent enough. As a comparison even if you were on JSA then you would only be offering to pay at the same rate.

Are you on lower or higher rate ESA (I admit I don't know loads about ESA) but I understand the higher rate means that you have been assessed as unable to work.
You could send your benefit notification again (although strictly you don't need to), I think maybe the next step is to send this againalong with a letter to say that you will not supply any further medical evidence sent recorded delivery.

After that I would just continue with your token payments.

ExTra_2

Ask them to fuxk off as your medical conditions is none of their business. If you have been depressed to a stage where it affects your abilities to carry out some or all of your daily activities for more than 12 months then you are protected under the DDA. I would sue them for bullying you.

Your medical history is highly confidential and should only be disclosed and discussed by the medical personnel who have direct involvement with your treatments. No one else.

I have had letters from my GP and CPN with various things, all they will say in those letter is "I confirm (name) has been suffering from a chronic (your conditions) and is receiving (treatment, whatever that is).

That should be more than enough. Try to get a letter from your consultant as it usually weights more than a letter from your GP or CPN, but all they need to do is to confirm your condition and you are being treated. If Natwest still is happy with you then seek legal advice. Try Community Legal Advice, just search for their website and give them a call. I have used them a few times are very helpful lot.

Hope it helps.

yellowduck_2

They say that they do not know what "standards" the ESA doctors use to assess people. I told them that they are pretty stringent and that a significant number of people are failed. I will have to pay for a Gp letter and can't afford to. I am on work focused ESA, I see my CPN every two weeks, I see an OT every month and am about to have an iterview for a part time (one day a week job) which I hope I get as I do want to get back to work, but at a pace to suit my health. I am also due to have an op on my spine, Nat West have told me that as soon as I get myassessment appt with the surgeon I must let them have a copy. they say that from their perspective I could be making all this up! Is it worth me putting in a complaint about the way they are behaving to me or would I be wasting my time. Had a terrrible night last night worrying about them getting a charging order on my house which is what they want to do.

DarkConvict

Get in touch with the FSA / OFT or Financial ombudsman. One of them may be able to provide as a mediator between you to if you feel you are been unfairly pressured, something which may be making your medical condition worse.

savingmummy

Any information you pass on to them is confidential.
I would try and get your gp to write a letter not all of them charge, especially if you explain everything.
I have recently had a medical letter written and didnt pay.
Unfortunately due to people making things up they do need proof, It is hard to disclose this info i know.
Good luck x

ExTra_2

Something slightly off this topic. Are you getting any DLA? Just thought it might help with your money situation and if the DWP says you are disabled / ill then you have even stronger ground to tell Natwest to F off.

hermanmunster_3

this is not on. When insurance companies ask for medical info, I as a GP have to write back to another doctor at the company - at least they understand what the condition is. Just sending in scripts and letters will not be appropriate - they will not have a clue.
Suggest they write to your GP asking them specific questions - you will need to give your permission and then the GP can write back answering just those questions, this should avoid the disclosure of anything embarrasing. We become experts at writing suitable letters to keep such organisations quiet with really telling them much at all.