Disabled Pass Renewal Form not completed by GP

Peter773

I handed in my Disabled Bus Pass renewal form to my GP more than 3 months ago, as my pass was due to expire on 31.03.2022, but my doctor has not completed the form, which should take about 5-10 minutes. I have phoned up several times and the secretary said it has not been done. My doctor phoned occasionally, to say things were hectic etc, and he had not done the form. My condition has remained the same. I emailed the practice manager several times about this, but she has not replied.

I'm wondering if doctors have been pressured not to fill out the forms, to save money, by local government cutbacks or central government.

Has anyone else had similar problems ?

elsien

I’d suggest it’s far more likely that they’re short-staffed and can’t fit enough appointments in, let alone fill in a form. Took me 5 weeks just to get a doctor to call me back for a phone consultation (appointments in person are urgent ones only). 

williewonder

I either get my social worker or community nurse to sign mine.

Undervalued

Peter773 said:

I handed in my Disabled Bus Pass renewal form to my GP more than 3 months ago, as my pass was due to expire on 31.03.2022, but my doctor has not completed the form, which should take about 5-10 minutes. I have phoned up several times and the secretary said it has not been done. My doctor phoned occasionally, to say things were hectic etc, and he had not done the form. My condition has remained the same. I emailed the practice manager several times about this, but she has not replied.

I'm wondering if doctors have been pressured not to fill out the forms, to save money, by local government cutbacks or central government.

Has anyone else had similar problems ?

One form may take "5 or 10 minutes" but almost certainly actually takes more, if you count the time of admin staff as well. Plus the doctor may need to spend some time reviewing notes etc to do the job properly. 

Even if it is only 10 minutes, twenty such forms a week is over three hours!

Also, is filling out this form part of the doctor's NHS duties? Many forms, certificates etc are not part of their NHS duties, in which case they are quite entitled to charge a private fee, Quite often they don't and put them through as a gesture of goodwill.

WeAreGhosts

I think it's more a case of there not being enough time, although in the times the doctor have phoned they could've probably completed the form.

My GPs charge £45 for any form or letter. This is a quarter of my disability payment per month, so ridiculous really. I don't mind paying but £45 for a short form is cheeky IMO.

KxMx

My GP charges £26 per letter.
They prefer to write letters rather than fill in forms- fine with me.
Given those charges have gotten me a 3 year bus pass (£1560 if I bought 3x yearly passes) and an adapted council flat (priceless), I'm pretty happy with the amount. 

mobileron

Just renewed mine with Milton Keynes council online,no mention of a doctor.Look and see if you can do an online form.

KxMx

It all depends on what criteria the application is made under.
Mine certainly needs up to date, medical professional provided proof for a further pass.