We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

help please re doctor

i went to the doctor to ask for a sick note as i was advised to do this to support a claim for esa


he asked me a lot of questions re my recent work history, what benefits i was on etc

on reflection it sounded like i was being `screened` as a potential `work shirker`

my question is this, is this normal practice now?
what should i do to convince him i am not a `shirker`

btw if anyone doubts, i have 30 years solid work experience behind me and it disgusts me that after having paid all these ni contributions i should be screened like this
Freedom is the freedom to say that 2+2 = 4 (George Orwell, 1984).

(I desire) ‘a great production that will supply all, and more than all the people can consume’,

(Sylvia Pankhurst).
«1345

Comments

  • nannytone_2
    nannytone_2 Posts: 13,004 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    the doctor is just estblishing your fitness to work as a fit not is issued to say you are not fit for work.
    should the doctor just supply a fit note to anyone that asks, regardless of whether they are ill/disabled?

    if you went in asking for sleeping pills, would he just hand them over or satisfy himself that they were necessary?
  • quidsy
    quidsy Posts: 2,181 Forumite
    Just fyi, Your length or work or NI contributions have nothing to do with whether the doctor should issue you a sick note.
    I don't respond to stupid so that's why I am ignoring you.

    2015 £2 saver #188 = £45
  • Torry_Quine
    Torry_Quine Posts: 18,887 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Why wouldn't he ask these questions? He can't just give a fit-note without knowing what your work is and why you are unable to do it anymore.
    Lost my soulmate so life is empty.

    I can bear pain myself, he said softly, but I couldna bear yours. That would take more strength than I have -
    Diana Gabaldon, Outlander
  • soolin
    soolin Posts: 74,431 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    I am actually happy that GPs are taking their job seriously, I would have been more concerned if they just dished out what everyone wanted with no proper medical consultation.
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
  • cootambear wrote: »
    i went to the doctor to ask for a sick note as i was advised to do this to support a claim for esa


    he asked me a lot of questions re my recent work history, what benefits i was on etc

    on reflection it sounded like i was being `screened` as a potential `work shirker`

    my question is this, is this normal practice now?
    what should i do to convince him i am not a `shirker`

    btw if anyone doubts, i have 30 years solid work experience behind me and it disgusts me that after having paid all these ni contributions i should be screened like this
    Good on the Doctor for being thorough.
    Don't trust a forum for advice. Get proper paid advice. Any advice given should always be checked
  • Dovah_diva
    Dovah_diva Posts: 539 Forumite
    edited 21 August 2013 at 4:56PM
    cootambear wrote: »
    it disgusts me that after having paid all these ni contributions i should be screened like this

    Why does it disgust you? Surely it is good that your Doctor is taking an interest? I would prefer that questions are asked and checks are made, as opposed to sick notes being handed out willy nilly.

    Further to this, the Doctor might actually think that your work history might have some bearing on your illness. Therefore, he is simply being thorough and is not out to get you.
  • Agree with the others - this is good practice. A GP needs a full picture of your life to be able to treat you effectively. This can range from how you survive financially, what work you may do (or have done in the past), whether you have a carer or other support network. I would be more concerned about a GP that did not ask these questions.
  • john539
    john539 Posts: 16,968 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts
    Nobody will know until it affects them.
  • john539 wrote: »
    Nobody will know until it affects them.

    Nobody will know how important it is that a doctor understands your personal circumstances?
  • john539
    john539 Posts: 16,968 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts
    Nobody will know how important it is that a doctor understands your personal circumstances?
    Does that fully reflect how the OP feels they have been treated ? ;)

    None of us were there to see.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 352.2K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.6K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 454.3K Spending & Discounts
  • 245.2K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 600.9K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 177.5K Life & Family
  • 259K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.