ESA - What should I ask my doctor to write in her letter?

micky2phones

tomtontom wrote: »

A letter from your GP tends to include different information from that which might be included in the ESA113. GfM's advice is sound, I would always recommend getting a letter of support if possible, because an ESA113 report is not always requested but also because it allows the GP to give more detailed information.

Hi,that makes sense about the doctor adding more detailed information.

As he did take the time to read my letter,just saying it was very detailed.

I think hes a good doctor,some dont but i feel over the last 6 years or so we both have been honest with each other me with all my aches and pains and him with what treatment i need.

Following me explaining the pains in my hands he got me to see a consultant at my local hospital,who told me without treatment my hands would be nearly unless,riddled with arthritis.

micky2phones

GirlFromMars wrote: »

I wouldn't suggest writing their letter for them, that seems really presumptuous and what if they disagree with what you've written?

I write a letter from myself to the DWP and give a copy to my GP, he can then base his letter on mine if he chooses, or disregard it entirely if he really wants to start from scratch.

GPs do charge for the service of writing letters of support though, as it's not something covered by the NHS. Even if they crib from something you already wrote!

Hi yes they do charge for letters,last one i had was 30 pounds.

micky2phones

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

MY LHB has put a ban on GP's surgery's writing letters of support. my GP surgery will only allow you to request evidence form medical files for £10.00 per DPA request and to sign a letter of DPA release into your control. They have a massive poster in the waiting room from the LBH detailing why. GP's have limited amount of time during the day to complete paper work, do house calls to the disabled who cannot attend the surgery and complete ESA 113 reports.


so in my LHB area the only way to get round that is to pre warn your GP that a ESA113 is coming their way and have reception put the letter to the front of your medical file on the letter you should put what descriptors your feel apply and hope your GP agree's so they can fill in the ESA113 correctly.


GP's do know what the descriptors are as they are handed a slimline copy of the WCA with the report request to aid them filling it in, the problem is they are too rushed to read them so if you point them in the right direction with a letter to the front of the medical file when he/she sits down to complete it it will aid them to get an understanding of what kind of support you need.


you have to be careful of what you put in evidence if you say I wrote letter headed XYZ and my GP signed it to confirm I have this illness etc, it can be stricken out as unreliable evidence due to it not being completed infull by the GP, some tribunals don't put weight on it but allow it some will strike it out.


All the evidence you compile to aid your case be that reports (not supporting letters) but diagnosis letters, care letters, care pack information, letters of increase of meds can build a picture of the illness or disability, physio reports (always instruct your physio to write progress reports to the GP) the lot and submit them as your evidence, things you wish to scrutinize such as atos reports, put in another pile, have copies of what your professionsals has said about you and mark them down against what the "atos HCP" has said about you if they contradict eachother.


Ultimately by accident I found writing a letter to the Tribunal judge pointing him to the specific descriptor that you have enough evidence to back you up for and saying this is what I believe what descriptor matches my me, here is the evidence on letters headed xyz dated xyz to support my opinion, the ATOS report is contradicting specialists reports see report xyz and letter dated xyz headed xyz and note what specialist xyz in xyz report has specifically stated the opposite of this in their report dated XYZ headed xyz.


when I attend the tribunal on xyz these are the specific points I wish to concentrate on and bring to your attention.


in the hours or day before the hearing, the panel will pick you pack up and review it to familiarize themselves with the case. when they read such letter, it will help them forget about going over the whole case and like you requested go into depths with what you highlight.


hopefully like me who did this very thing to aid my case, the judge had read the pack hour before the case, called my wife and said not to bother coming to the court, that a decision had been made I was successful and awarded what I said I had matched, support group. unfortunately I had already left ahead of this phone call to beat traffic, an thus attended, clerk said I had one before I had even got into the lobby but he said he would ask the judge if he wanted to see me, he did, he explained that I had infact made his job easier that day due to my key facts in the case, he and the panel was happy with the evidence I had provided, they matched the criteria sorry the DWP had made the wrong decision in this case and dragged me through this and wished me well.


planning and organization is key. asking for what you proving that you match criteria with evidence, contradicting DWP reports, goes a long way in helping yourself achieve what your believe your entitled to, you have to approach it like a proper court system.

Hi,very good post with some good points.

As they say you learn some thing new every day.

epitome

Best thing to do is to look at the ESA descriptors, you will find them at the back of ESA214 which you can download online. And word your letters and ask your doctor to confirm ... that you meet the descriptors...

Catlover777

Thanks for all the great replies, there's some really good advice in here!

I hope this all works out well and I don't have to waste yet more months getting to this stage!

DKLS

Catlover777 wrote: »

Hiya, I've been claiming ESA and it has come to the point that I am appealing to HMCTS. I'm claiming for anxiety due to a facial injury and have been taking anxiety medicine and am waiting for therapy (long waiting lists here).

I can't help with benefits aspect but it may be worth enquiring with your GP to see if there is a Low intensity CBT service in your area. There is a decent evidence base for treating anxiety symptoms with CBT and it may be quicker and beneficial to access these services than waiting for a therapist to become free.

Catlover777

DKLS wrote: »

I can't help with benefits aspect but it may be worth enquiring with your GP to see if there is a Low intensity CBT service in your area. There is a decent evidence base for treating anxiety symptoms with CBT and it may be quicker and beneficial to access these services than waiting for a therapist to become free.

Hiya, thanks for the response, this is exactly what I'm waiting for, I thought it was the same thing as therapy! I've recently had a reply from the CBT place and have an appointment on Monday, hopefully I don't avoid going on the day because I'm too anxious!

Scully38

Catlover777 wrote: »

Hiya, I've been claiming ESA and it has come to the point that I am appealing to HMCTS. I'm claiming for anxiety due to a facial injury and have been taking anxiety medicine and am waiting for therapy (long waiting lists here).

I want to get a letter of support from my GP to boost my chances of being accepted for the full rate, however my doctor seems new and has asked me what kind of support this should be, I feel that she has never written a letter of support or the like, but seems willing to do so.

What should I ask her to put in the letter?

Thanks in advance, I'm grateful for all help and will be checking back regularly.

I paid £50 for my 2n doctors report and wrote my doctor a letter explaining my applying for PIP, and that I receive lower rate care, but no mobility, when I queried PIP, I was told they lost my reports. So in my letter to my GP, I explained the problems i'd been having walking, falling, fainting, caring for myself, exhaustion etc. My GP was aware of these things as i'm on a lot of medication and on sticks, so I printed off the PIP criteria and asked him to do a medical report on my issues, the letter I got back from my GP was brilliant, it highlighted all my needs, medical and physical, he advised that i'm unable to walk safely, repeatedly and should have a carer with me.

I know how hard it is, when you don't see a regular GP, and it can be a nightmare getting appointments, but its worth it, as i'm not having to repeat myself. If there's a GP you have seen a few times, ask them to do the report, or speak to the receptionists on who would be the best to write you a letter. They usually have a good idea of who is best to do these things.

Good luck