Anyone else have problems getting GP's to write thorough letters?

DomRavioli

your GP won't write more than a few sentences. They are not specialists, and therefore unable to write in depth about conditions they do not specialise in.

You need to approach the secretaries of the specialists you are under and ask for letters from there.

You can get a brief summary from your GP (usually free of charge) which lists your current diagnoses, medications and the last few consultations and tests your GP has either arranged or had the information from.

Your GP is exactly that, a general practitioner and as such will not write in depth about anything unless expressly asked to do so by another professional. It isn't what you want to hear but that is how it works, so best to be aware.

teddysmum

For years our GPs have had a notice in the waiting room, saying that any requested letters for benefits purposes are chargeable.

Sueinbirmingham

Many letters and certificates that people want fall outside a GP's contract. In the past, it was very common for GPs to do them out of goodwill, but now there's a big problem, in the form of not enough time.

There's a massive national shortage of GPs, which is placing a burden on the rest, accelerating the rate at which they leave the profession, not just to retire, but because the workload and stress are driving them to breakdowns. The more burnt-out GPs retire, the more stressed out other GPs get trying to cope with more patients.

Further, with demand exceeding resources in the NHS (people's political views on why will vary, but nevertheless all main political parties and professions agree on the general situation) more and more secondary care work is being transferred to primary care, increasing the burden on GPs.

There's also an increasing demand on GPs to screen for this, test for that. More and more that's supposed to be squeezed into a working day. They don't sign a few repeat prescriptions each day, they sign at least dozens (not in appointments) and a couple of hundred wouldn't be eyebrow-raising.

This means that it's already difficult for GPs to give all the help and treatment their patients need. So writing letters, certificates, reports etc. that aren't part of their contract, i.e. that they're not paid to do may seem mean, but if you're taking someone who's utterly swamped and exhausted and expecting them to do something that's not actually part of their job, then why shouldn't they charge for it? Quite apart from anything else, there are insurance implications to doing things that aren't part of their job.

People who need letters etc. to help with problems have my sympathy, but if your GP isn't helpful, at least consider who's not getting the service the NHS is paying him for whilst he's providing you with a service the NHS isn't paying him for.

I'm not a doctor and I'm not related to any doctors. I simply listen to what doctors have to say and see the figures for those retiring and have sympathy with those having breakdowns trying to achieve the unachievable.

I must stress that I'm not without sympathy to those with genuine needs, merely drawing attention to the realities of the situation.

[Deleted User]

Ames wrote: »

There's a charge, but it's capped at (I think) £50.

It's £50 for each place you go, so that'll be £50 for the GP, then another £50 for the hospital, and then another £50 again for any additional hospitals etc.

lemontart

I have just collected a copy of my records which includes letters sent by specialists to gp and merely confirms all diagnosis. My gp ask what the appeal court wanted her to write as felt all would be in my notes.

faerielight

as I have stated in this thread, I am willing to pay for the letter, I totally understand why GPs are swamped and they need to charge for their time., and I have full sympathy for their struggles. to be clear, I am not trying to exploit my GP in any way,and demand something for free.

What I am struggling with, is getting a letter merely stating all my diagnoses. I have requested full access to my medical records. I have the letter for the most recent diagnoses from the past 3 years, but not for the older ones.
My patient summaries, including the one I can see on their online system has all my meds but no diagnoses.
Lemon tart, I'm glad you have managed to get access to your medical records.

DomRavioli

faerielight wrote: »

as I have stated in this thread, I am willing to pay for the letter, I totally understand why GPs are swamped and they need to charge for their time., and I have full sympathy for their struggles. to be clear, I am not trying to exploit my GP in any way,and demand something for free.

What I am struggling with, is getting a letter merely stating all my diagnoses. I have requested full access to my medical records. I have the letter for the most recent diagnoses from the past 3 years, but not for the older ones.
My patient summaries, including the one I can see on their online system has all my meds but no diagnoses.
Lemon tart, I'm glad you have managed to get access to your medical records.

Just ask for a brief summary - has all your current diagnoses on. A full summary has everything, and is chargeable. You don't need a letter.

Ames

jack_pott wrote: »

It's £50 for each place you go, so that'll be £50 for the GP, then another £50 for the hospital, and then another £50 again for any additional hospitals etc.

Sorry, you're right, I should have been clear I meant getting copies from everyone from the GP, not going to each department individually.