MSE News: Revealed: GPs charging domestic violence survivors £100+ to sign legal... 28 November 2016 at 11:45AM in Marriage, relationships & families 21 replies 3.1K views

MSE_Luke

People who have suffered domestic violence can be charged more than £100 by their GP for supporting legal aid applications...

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'Revealed: GPs charging domestic violence survivors £100+ to sign legal aid forms'

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Proxima_Centauri

Much like any other legal documentation, it would come under private charges, if the NHS aren't recompensing them for it.

peachyprice

Same as they do for victims of all other crimes who are entitled to legal aid, accident victims, travel insurance claims etc etc. What's your point?

Rosemary7391

Is there a reason the relevant records can't just be attached to the application, rather than the GP writing a letter, form filling etc? That would seem better for all concerned if it were possible.

marywooyeah

Rosemary7391 wrote: »

Is there a reason the relevant records can't just be attached to the application, rather than the GP writing a letter, form filling etc? That would seem better for all concerned if it were possible.

The Legal Aid Agency only accept a letter which matches the wording of a specified template. I can't post a link as I'm on a mobile but if you Google "response from health professional" letter you can see it.

Sicard

peachyprice wrote: »

Same as they do for victims of all other crimes who are entitled to legal aid, accident victims, travel insurance claims etc etc. What's your point?

I think the point is revolved around a word you may not be familiar with... compassion.

peachyprice

Sicard wrote: »

I think the point is revolved around a word you may not be familiar with... compassion.

I am very familiar with compassion thanks, but I fail to see why one set of victims is any more deserving than another set.

Surely this thread should have been titled 'GP's charging DV?crime/accident survivors £100+ to sign legal aid forms', as it will apply to all of them. But as usual in MSE Towers they try to sensationalise a situation by using a group of people they think will garner most public sympathy with their click bait threads.

Proxima_Centauri

The real problem is not the doctors but the government deciding to effectively remove access to legal help to people who can't afford it.

Bogalot

If you do go to your GP, ask the doctor not the receptionist. One family law solicitor we spoke to suggests you avoid being too specific when the GP surgery receptionist asks what your visit's for.

Instead, wait until you see the GP to explain what you're after, and if you'll find it difficult to pay, explain why and appeal to them directly. They might decide to waive the charge. Receptionists have less leeway, and if they know in advance what your appointment's for and that it falls outside the NHS contract you're probably more likely to be automatically charged.

Very poor form to encourage people to use NHS appointments for private services. This blocks people in need of medical help from getting already scarce appointments.

Sicard

peachyprice wrote: »

I am very familiar with compassion thanks, but I fail to see why one set of victims is any more deserving than another set.

Surely this thread should have been titled 'GP's charging DV?crime/accident survivors £100+ to sign legal aid forms', as it will apply to all of them. But as usual in MSE Towers they try to sensationalise a situation by using a group of people they think will garner most public sympathy with their click bait threads.

So I suppose a female having her face punched until it's black and blue, treated like she's worthless and her head stamped on by some thug is equal to other deserving cases for legal aid.

As for the baiting issue it is still a real issue and the fee is rubbing salt into the wounds of those victim's of such a crime.

Proxima_Centauri

Sicard wrote: »

So I suppose a female having her face punched until it's black and blue, treated like she's worthless and her head stamped on by some thug is equal to other deserving cases for legal aid.

As for the baiting issue it is still a real issue and the fee is rubbing salt into the wounds of those victim's of such a crime.

As explained before, it would come under private charges, as the GP won't be recompensed for it via normal funding routes..