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GP evidence I requested myself was sent to Atos
- mydaftneck
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11 years 2 months ago - 11 years 2 months ago #119001 by mydaftneck
Hello dear reader. I went for a repeat WCA today. I asked my GP (my first time ever of asking) if it was poss for me to have medical evidence on 1st March for my WCA. The practice replied on 3rd saying my request was being dealt with. I heard nothing for a week, so emailed some dates as my history of OA and spondylosis goes back before I joined this GP when I moved area. They did not reply. I emailed again on 15 March. They did not reply. Then last night at 5:40pm I got an ansafone message saying they had emailed me a letter. In it, the GP sketchily outlines my history, misses out my lumbar problems, says I would need help at work, then says I would suit therapeutic work!!! She missed out some crucial stuff, including that my knees give way. This happened most recently on Wednesday morning, and I went for my WCA today with a sprained, swollen and bruised ankle. The nurse practitioner who saw me could not have been more kind or understanding, and ordered me a taxi home. I didn't dare cancel, as the first appointment Atos sent me was for a day when I was having physio for my knees, and involved a 19 journey to get there. I was appalled to find out, however, that though it was my request for informaton, that my GP had sent the letter to Atos! So I had no choice of whether it was suitable for use. Luckily, my counsellor had given me an accurate and supportive letter. Your thoughts on how to approach my GP will be very much appreciated. Thank you in advance for any replies.
GP evidence I requested myself was sent to Atos was created by mydaftneck

Last edit: 11 years 2 months ago by Gordon.
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11 years 2 months ago #119006 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic GP evidence I requested myself was sent to Atos
mydaftneck
It is not clear from your post how you made the request for a letter of support, but your post suggests that this either done over the phone or to the administration staff, did you actually meet with your GP to discuss what you were asking for and to make sure that they had a current understanding of your condition(s) and how you are affected on a daily basis?
All I can suggest is that you make an appointment to see your HP and raise any concerns that you have with them, perhaps they will be willing to produce an updated letter.
Gordon
It is not clear from your post how you made the request for a letter of support, but your post suggests that this either done over the phone or to the administration staff, did you actually meet with your GP to discuss what you were asking for and to make sure that they had a current understanding of your condition(s) and how you are affected on a daily basis?
All I can suggest is that you make an appointment to see your HP and raise any concerns that you have with them, perhaps they will be willing to produce an updated letter.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- mydaftneck
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11 years 1 month ago - 11 years 1 month ago #119399 by mydaftneck
Replied by mydaftneck on topic GP evidence I requested myself was sent to Atos
Hi again,
I requested medical evidence on an email contact form. I have since sent a letter about how I am affected daily by my conditions and asked for it to be put into my patient notes.
The problem I have is that the letter from my GP was emailed to me the evening before my WCA. I was told at my WCA next morning, that it had also been sent to Atos. This seems wrong to me, since it was I who made the request. I also feel wronged because in the letter, my GP states at the end of the list of my conditions that I would be “ suitable for therapeutic work, in theory”!
I asked for medical evidence, 3 weeks in advance. What I got was a rushed last minute letter, with evidence missing, finishing with an opinion that was not asked for, that she is not qualified to make, and sent to Atos, who had never requested it! Luckily, my mental health therapist, who truly knows me, gave me a correct and supportive letter to take with me. I am seriously considering making a formal complaint, if I can ever get over the feelings of panic that engulf me whenever I start to do it. Am I right to believe that she acted wrongly? I thank you in advance for any advice or support.
I requested medical evidence on an email contact form. I have since sent a letter about how I am affected daily by my conditions and asked for it to be put into my patient notes.
The problem I have is that the letter from my GP was emailed to me the evening before my WCA. I was told at my WCA next morning, that it had also been sent to Atos. This seems wrong to me, since it was I who made the request. I also feel wronged because in the letter, my GP states at the end of the list of my conditions that I would be “ suitable for therapeutic work, in theory”!
I asked for medical evidence, 3 weeks in advance. What I got was a rushed last minute letter, with evidence missing, finishing with an opinion that was not asked for, that she is not qualified to make, and sent to Atos, who had never requested it! Luckily, my mental health therapist, who truly knows me, gave me a correct and supportive letter to take with me. I am seriously considering making a formal complaint, if I can ever get over the feelings of panic that engulf me whenever I start to do it. Am I right to believe that she acted wrongly? I thank you in advance for any advice or support.
Last edit: 11 years 1 month ago by Gordon.
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11 years 1 month ago #119400 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic GP evidence I requested myself was sent to Atos
mydaftneck
Unless you gave explicit permission for the letter to be sent to ATOS then then the GP or Practice have likely broken the Data Protection rules, however, they may have believed that your email request was a request to send the information to ATOS and gave them authority to do so.
You can make a formal complaint to the Practice and if that is unsuccessful, to the Information Commissioner, but I would start by speaking to your GP, they may have just been trying to help you.
Gordon
Unless you gave explicit permission for the letter to be sent to ATOS then then the GP or Practice have likely broken the Data Protection rules, however, they may have believed that your email request was a request to send the information to ATOS and gave them authority to do so.
You can make a formal complaint to the Practice and if that is unsuccessful, to the Information Commissioner, but I would start by speaking to your GP, they may have just been trying to help you.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- mydaftneck
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11 years 1 month ago - 11 years 1 month ago #119404 by mydaftneck
Replied by mydaftneck on topic GP evidence I requested myself was sent to Atos
Thanks for your reply Gordon. Amazingly, I kept a copy of the form I sent. I would appreciate a second opinion from anyone on whether I gave my consent for the report being sent to Atos. Here is what I wrote to my GP: "Hello. I will be attending a work assessment in lincoln. The letter the DWP sent me says that I can bring medical reports with me. It would help greatly if I could have a brief report outlining the problems I have with my neck (1989 onwards) shoulders (including surgery), lower back and knees. Also, my mental health and problems caused by sexual & physical abuse as a child ( I had counselling in 1999, 2009 and 2013). Is a report possible? I will be going to the appointment alone, as I am a social recluse apart from going to appointments, and have never asked for a report before. Can you please also tell me if there is a fee? My appt is on 21st March. Many thanks in advance, P G."
Last edit: 11 years 1 month ago by Gordon.
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11 years 1 month ago #119409 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic GP evidence I requested myself was sent to Atos
mydaftneck
Based on what you have posted, no I do not believe that you gave authority, but I still believe that you should talk to your GP before proceeding with a complaint.
Your GP produced a letter, albeit not one that you are happy with, most GPs are refusing to help claimants in this situation, by making a complaint you may well alienate someone who is trying to help you. I am not saying that you should not make a complaint, just investigate further and understand what you might be losing by doing so.
Gordon
Based on what you have posted, no I do not believe that you gave authority, but I still believe that you should talk to your GP before proceeding with a complaint.
Your GP produced a letter, albeit not one that you are happy with, most GPs are refusing to help claimants in this situation, by making a complaint you may well alienate someone who is trying to help you. I am not saying that you should not make a complaint, just investigate further and understand what you might be losing by doing so.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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