Using a Private GP Service

daska

tanith wrote: »

So I assume the same applies to the private GP , they choose the bits that fit your agenda?

An NHS GP would have access to your medical history from birth should they need it which a private GP wouldn't. They would, as you say have to go to your own GP if they had concerns or needed more information, and if necessary you can book a double app with your GP if you need more time and request to see the same one at each visit .

An NHS GP would have access to your medical history if they had the time and inclination to request your file and read through it. But they don't have the time and neither does it seem have ATOS.

FleurDuLys

They can request your consultant's notes too if they need specialist info about your condition, but NHS GPs do have their own comprehensive notes. As well as their own notes that GPs make during appointments, any consultants that you see will write to them giving a basic overview of any appointments and treatments that you've had.

My NHS GP has my entire medical history on the computer when I go to appointments, dating back to when the records were first put onto computer - and before that, they have the paper notes going back to my birth.

When I asked for a list of important stuff like all the surgeries I've had, they did have those dates in their computer system back to the earliest in 1986.

Bargin_bunny_2

daska wrote: »

An NHS GP would have access to your medical history if they had the time and inclination to request your file and read through it. But they don't have the time and neither does it seem have ATOS.

lol this comment made me laugh. G.P notes are electronic. They only wont have them when you are newley registered. They contain summerys or bullet points of important on going/ chronic problems. Generally speaking if a G.P has a computer screen on in front of him/her there looking at your medical notes.

cant see how a private g.p. can compete with this comprehensive info

A_Flock_Of_Sheep

Bargin_bunny wrote: »

lol this comment made me laugh. G.P notes are electronic. They only wont have them when you are newley registered. They contain summerys or bullet points of important on going/ chronic problems. Generally speaking if a G.P has a computer screen on in front of him/her there looking at your medical notes.

cant see how a private g.p. can compete with this comprehensive info

My friend went specifically to a Private GP to discuss specifically her ME/Fibromyaligia and also her application for a Blue Parking Badge. She told the Private GP everything the NHS GP knows. Therefore the records pretty much reconcile where her chronic condition is concerned.

The difference is the service at the Private GP was much better than the NHS GP. Her medical report from the private GP was far more comprehensive and true to her difficulties despite her banging on to her NHS GP several times. Why is it the private GP can take on board what she says in 30 minutes yet the NHS one clearly hasn't been listening to a word she's been saying for years.

The private GP won't have details of her influenza's of many years or tummy bugs though. But anyone you go to for a specific medical service won't have that. But those conditions are not relevant to her Blue Badge application. Since when has the flu given anyone a right to a Blue Parking Badge

FleurDuLys

My only worry would be that ATOS might find it suspicious that you've gone to a private GP and would want to chase up your NHS GP anyway, - just in case you've exaggerated your condition to a private GP who doesn't know you from Adam and hasn't got access to your notes. After all, some unscrupulous people could do that!

It's not going to be a massive problem for people who are perfectly honest about things, but I guess it could significantly delay things whilst they fanny around chasing your notes up to verify things if they feel they need to.

A_Flock_Of_Sheep

FleurDuLys wrote: »

My only worry would be that ATOS might find it suspicious that you've gone to a private GP and would want to chase up your NHS GP anyway, - just in case you've exaggerated your condition to a private GP who doesn't know you from Adam and hasn't got access to your notes. After all, some unscrupulous people could do that!

It's not going to be a massive problem for people who are perfectly honest about things, but I guess it could significantly delay things whilst they fanny around chasing your notes up to verify things if they feel they need to.

I am not sure how they could if you "wire out" the NHS GP and just put down the private GP practice in the DLA form for example.

The practice we went to had a "normal" name and not "Private GP" in the address. You would not know it was private from the name.

And why would they think your claim would be exaggerated simply because you choose to have a private GP. Isn't the government all about geting rid of the NHS anyway? Or at least wittling it down to a barely useful service.

FleurDuLys

It's just that ATOS seem so keen to disallow people's claims, that they will look for any excuse to do so. So if they find that you've paid to use a private GP rather than your NHS one then that might lead them to think you've done that for unscrupulous reasons, and they'd want to look into it further.

I'm not saying that would definitely happen, but I can imagine it happening! But as I said, I doubt it would be much of a problem if you've been honest, it would just cause delays if they wanted to check your private GP's reports against your NHS notes. It might even help if you were to write on your application "I've used a private GP here for expediency; if you wish to verify things against my medical notes then they are kept at my registered NHS GP's surgery, the address of which is XXXXXX".

GlasweJen

I know that certain areas disallow private reports from consultants - have a look at the families board where private educational psychology reports are thrown out by local authorities in favour of the school ed psych.

I must be lucky living out in the sticks. My practice is run by the grandson of the person who first opened a practice in the area, it is in a purpose built building and has 3 doctors who have been there since before I was born, an additional 3 who joined about 10 years ago, a few locums who come and go and 2 trainees (one of them is the doctors son). I can always see a doctor in within a week, sometimes takes longer if I want to see a certain doctor but they all have my records since birth anyway.

The practice nurse has known me since before I was born, the phlebotomist used to work with my mum and any medical report I've ever had has been dead on accurate.

Perhaps the OP doesn't need to go private, they just need to seek out a decent NHS doctor.

WhiteHorse

GlasweJen wrote: »

I'm sorry but I don't see how paying a doctor £50 to make up a report to get you the benefits you want is a good thing.

You are accusing the Doctor concerned of outright dishonesty?

... a doctor who sees you once for 30 minutes?

The standard NHS consultation time is 8 minutes. If you get thirty you are doing very well indeed.

sardine

FleurDuLys wrote: »

My only worry would be that ATOS might find it suspicious that you've gone to a private GP and would want to chase up your NHS GP anyway, - just in case you've exaggerated your condition to a private GP who doesn't know you from Adam and hasn't got access to your notes. After all, some unscrupulous people could do that!

It's not going to be a massive problem for people who are perfectly honest about things, but I guess it could significantly delay things whilst they fanny around chasing your notes up to verify things if they feel they need to.

For a start, how would ATOS know who your GP is? And secondly, if they intend to use the argument
"suspicious that you've gone to a private GP and would want to chase up your NHS GP anyway, - just in case you've exaggerated your condition to a private GP who doesn't know you from Adam and hasn't got access to your notes."

What does ATOS do?

To be honest, this is only my opinion, but given the option there is no way that I would now put myself in the hands of my GP to give a balanced, full and honest report.
Been there done that one, and learned a hard lesson in the past.

Now, I use every available option that comes my way that will give me the best of a fighting chance to counter the ATOS assessment. Besides which it is vital and important ammunition to be used at any possible Tribunal Hearing