Accessing your Medical Records how long and format

hermanmunster_3

Producing a full set of notes is a mammoth task. Usually it is insurance companies requesting them (or lawyers) They have to be photocopied - each and every test done is copied and every single letter. Takes ages. Each letter of the computerised system is usually held a seperate file and would be printed seperately.

Then they have to be gone through by medical staff to ensure that there are no third party references eg "I saw Jack and his brother Fred today with spots" ... the reference to Fred would have to be deleted as Fred has not given permission for notes to be copied. With large sets of notes £50 in no way covers it - can be several hours of staff time - a tree of paper and as we don't have an industrial copier, loads of ink cartridges for the printer / photocopier...

luminated

Hi hermanmunster

Good (and by the sounds of it) inside information. That's why I am looking for alternative advice as I like my Surgery, Doctors and the staff and know the hassle it would cause. However I must get together the best set of information I can for when it is needed.

Now I propose to explain to my GP my options, which could include making a request, or asking if he can do me a summary based on my needs and my health conditions. He will know the hassle, that you have outlined, and see the easiest action for his practice is to do me a mini report. Not sure what the charge/s will be if any???

Thanks for your help :T

Careful_with_that_Axe

I think there's a maximum charge of something like £12 to £15, but it would be money well spent if you get the increased award and would pay for itself many times over.

I remember the stress of going through the process (I had the misfortune of the Appeal and mving house within the same week!) so do come back and keep us updated if you have the brain space for it. It's a time when we should all pull together for each other and help where we can - spread the load and worry.
It is a massive help to have your gp onside. I think the report I had from my GP refuting the claims of the DWP from my original form really carried weight. GP deals with you on day to day problems so knows you best. Panels take far more notice of the GP evidence than the DWP seem to.

luminated

Careful_with_that_Axe wrote: »

I think there's a maximum charge of something like £12 to £15, but it would be money well spent if you get the increased award and would pay for itself many times over.

I remember the stress of going through the process (I had the misfortune of the Appeal and mving house within the same week!) so do come back and keep us updated if you have the brain space for it. It's a time when we should all pull together for each other and help where we can - spread the load and worry.
It is a massive help to have your gp onside. I think the report I had from my GP refuting the claims of the DWP from my original form really carried weight. GP deals with you on day to day problems so knows you best. Panels take far more notice of the GP evidence than the DWP seem to.

Again I thank you for your support.

I am hoping for a revised (upward ) decision letter but if not it will be the appeal. I will try not to be moving at the same time.

luminated

northerntrish wrote: »

What happens in a case where the GP will not give an opinion on stated needs on the basis that he or she has not seen them all, as in my case?
Maybe I should sit on his lap and play with his hair then?

I doubt my GP (a man) would want me (another man) to sit may 14 stones on his lap :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

rogerblack

luminated wrote: »

I doubt my GP (a man) would want me (another man) to sit may 14 stones on his lap :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Never know unless you try.

amanda6216

i won my appeal last week 25/08 and was awarded hrm and lrc, i only took basic medical letters of all my appointments and one letter which had my mri results included. i took evidence on the day which was a letter from my friend which detailed how she looked after me and the things she helped me with, i did a diary on a daily basis with how i felt, my pain level on the day and what i did that day, then i wrote around 2 pages of submission which detailed what was wrong with me,how it affected me on a daily basis what treatment i was recieving i didnt take a representative with me i did it all myself..... i had asked for lrm and lrc the judge said when i entered the room he wouldnt be looking at lrm but higher instead!!!
i wish you luck and hopefully you will not need to go to appeal its taken since june 2010 to get my award

luminated

Amanda thanks so much for sharing this information (a positive story) as it really makes a difference to hear about someone that is successful.

Well done.

amanda6216

Thank you!!I didnt think i would be successful as a poor guy before me got turned down, i had 4 people at my hearing as a lady from dwp was there as well as the panel.

The experience i had was definately more that they wanted to know how i got on on a daily basis as i havent as such got a condition yet! i will only know if i have osteoarthritus once i wake up from surgery on 30th of this month after i have had a cyst and labral tear treated inside my left hip joint.

I was brutally honest with them and told them im so frustrated being like this at 25 years old and i had a prospering management career ahead of me until my hip gave way on the stairs at work and everything went downhill from there. They were very nice and agreed with my surgeon when he has told me to not weight bear on my left leg at all as he doesnt want me having a hip replacement at 25 the judge and 2 docs totally agreed with this as it would mean it getting done every 10 years after that i just explained my surgeon doesnt want it to get any worse and they unanamously awarded me i hadnt even left the room when they said they were awarding me!!

So my advice is to be brutally honest on how your condition affects you daily physically and mentally as i wrote in my diary one day i was so frustrated i wanted to cut my leg off to relieve the pain and thats with tramadol!!! you may not have to go that far but a diary is definately a good idea sorry its so long opps

Careful_with_that_Axe

northerntrish wrote: »

What happens in a case where the GP will not give an opinion on stated needs on the basis that he or she has not seen them all, as in my case?
Maybe I should sit on his lap and play with his hair then?

That's a bit out of left field as a suggestion, but if you feel it would work for you, go for it.