Who is right my doctor or employer?

John1993_2

marybelle01 wrote: »

I suggested that in the greater scheme of things the OP's health, which the GP is supposed to safeguard.

Are tey really supposed to do that? That would take the doctor-patient contract way beyond what most people understand it to be. I se ethe doctor as being the gateway to the NHS, but never would have believed that they have a "duty" to safeguard my health. That, I would strongly contend, falls squarely into my set of responsibilities.

InsideInsurance

marybelle01 wrote: »

I suggest you check the passport application form. It very clearly states that the requirement is that your identity is verified by someone who has known you for a specific period of time - it says nothing about that person being of good standing, and there is, in any case, no definition of what that means - who says that my unemployed neighbour is not of "good standing"? "Royal institutes or similar" have nothing to do with anything - I regularly sign passport applications.

I suggest you read both the website and guidance notes as both do state the requirement that the person is either a professional or person of good standing. See https://www.gov.uk/countersigning-passport-applications

Occupations

Countersignatories must work in (or be retired from) a recognised profession or be ‘a person of good standing in their community’

If you read the guidance notes on the below it clarifies the 'good standing' https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/118585/countersignatories.pdf

As per my previous statement, an unemployed person can be of good standing if they have the required qualifications/ associations but not just anyone can sign it

marybelle01 wrote: »

Quote from the OP's post - " My doctor said they are trying to get out of paying the fee and by law it has to go the way he said". So the answer is, the OP mentioned the law, qoting the doctor.

My mistake, though I would always query if someone is being quoted verbatim or paraphrased

jackyann

This is one example of many situations where GPs are expected to provide for free, something which another agency would rather get out of paying for (housing letters etc.)
A number of GPs have traditionally given these services for free, often because it relates to patients who don't have money to spare, or because it is for the greater good. These days, they employ practice managers who look to see where income can be maximised!

When I was community nursing I was caught in this situation: The local practice had for many years given free hepatitis B vaccination to child care workers, as it was for the greater good, to a group traditionally not well paid (or volunteers). Then a large child care provider took over the previously community-run playgroup - when the GPs realised, they said "why should we be out-of-pocket to maximise the profits of this business?". The child care provider immediately told all the staff that they would be unable to work without the vaccination and they must pay for it themselves!
Although current advice has overtaken issues around this vaccine, I think the principles about who pays for what in what circumstances, involved hold good.

On a practical level, I think the agency is covering itself. I would try paying the fee yourself, and asking the practice for a reduction as they know your situation.

colino

The GP is quite entitled to charge for a professional opinion for a person to obtain work (ask any LGV/PCV driver), the amount and detail will vary from practice to practice. I think OP may be confusing that the GP must send a report, or a copy of it, direct to the Agency, no matter who pays, to prevent any changes to the original report.