GP Won't backdate sick note for ESA

SoulMan

I am in the process of appealing my ESA decision, Ive just been to my doctors surgery to get a sick note and she said they are not allowed to backdate it if they have not seen you at the time it needs to be backdated, i explained that i have had them backdated in the past and i was told that they should not have done this.

What will happen now with my ESA appeal. does it matter to them that i am unable to get one backdated or will they just start paying me aseement rate from the date of the sick note. looks like i will loose 2 weeks money.

Alter_ego

As I understand the system you go to a doctor when sick and they give you a sick note. The "I was sick a while back" is not how it works.

SoulMan

Alter_ego wrote: »

As I understand the system you go to a doctor when sick and they give you a sick note. The "I was sick a while back" is not how it works.

I am not sure what point you are trying to make here? I have had sick note's backdated in the past with no problem, have the rules changed? If so then how is one supposed to get a sickn note dated on the adverse decision from the DWP when they notify you by letter which takes a few days to arrive and you can't always get an appointment straight away?

grazzzz

Sick notes cannot be back dated as the dr has to see you on the day he signs the sick note if they have backdated them in the past they were wrong to do so. If you know your current sick note is expiring you need to make a appointment in sufficient time you must know when the old one was running out by so the responsibility is yours if you are on ESA the DWP needs it to pay you so yes if you don't have a valid sick note you won't get paid for those 2 weeks

jacques_chirac

Sick/ fit notes can be backdated, however this can only happen where an earlier consultation has taken place. For instance, if you saw your doctor last Monday but did not realise you needed one until now, they could issue you a fit note from the earlier date. They cannot issue one where no consultation has taken place.

They may issue a non backdated note but add comments to state their belief that you were unfit for work from the earlier date, but that no consultation took place. This *may* be sufficient for your ESA, depending on what is written.

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/healthcare-professional/frequently-asked-questions/

MrsAnnie

My doctor would not/could not give me a backdated sick note for my initial ESA claim, even though I had been having regular appts for the past three years for my conditions. Although the doctor would have happily given the DWP written evidence - though for the DWP a letter, unfortunately, did not hold the same weight as a sick note.

Maybe it is a new universal policy, perhaps?

Brassedoff

Looks like the OP loses their ESA and will need to start the process again.

It's a !!!!!! when working gets in the way of booking a time in the Docs to get that sick note ;-)

tokenfield

I've never heard anything like it. If you are sick and you need a sick note - you go see the GP. At the worst it will be a 24 hour delay to get an appointment.

Those days of ringing the surgery up and asking for a sick note to be at reception have long gone. GP's have lost all credibility because they were so lax about issuing backdated certificates in the past.

mum2one

tokenfield wrote: »

I've never heard anything like it. If you are sick and you need a sick note - you go see the GP. At the worst it will be a 24 hour delay to get an appointment.

Those days of ringing the surgery up and asking for a sick note to be at reception have long gone. GP's have lost all credibility because they were so lax about issuing backdated certificates in the past.

24 hour delay for an appointment - thats a joke my old surgery the average appointment wait was 2 to 3 weeks!

atrixblue.-MFR-.

local health authorities sent out reminders to GP's a while back stating that backdating fit notes is fraudulant and malpractice, so they should not and some will not backdate, although GP's try and use some discretion if its within a day or two but in the eyes of the LHB's this a no no.

my GP serfery give you a 30 min window during 9am and 9:30am in wich to book in for a fit note to be dated that day, if you lose out you lose out, if you get a 2 week fit note book on the day you get it, that way youll always end up 2weekly, its a callender thing, fitnote done on say 12th aug you book an appointment for fit note for the 26th on the 12th aug, if it falls on a weekend book for the first friday within your alloted time on the remaining note so they overlap.

although, Decision makers can give you some leeway if you write a cover saying you could not get an appropriate appointment within your last fit note and that day it was given was the earliest given appointment. that way you shift the blame onto the surgery wich is beyond your control and see what the DM makes of it.

it shouldnt affect your appeal, just make sure you keep the apeals process and esa (reduced rate) running by contacting ESA and giving them a heads up about your fit note situation prefurable youd want a ring back by the local benefit center that deals with your claim to explain to them getting thorugh to the call center is just blx waste of time so just ask them to email your local department to call you back.

martinthebandit

mum2one wrote: »

24 hour delay for an appointment - thats a joke my old surgery the average appointment wait was 2 to 3 weeks!

It was the same at our doctors, so we changed doctors, now if I ring up in the morning I get seen the same day.