Unhelpful doctors report

My regular doctor recently left the practice, and had left just over a week before the one remaining doctor recieved the request for a report. I am now appealing to tribunal and looking at the doctors report went back to him to point out his errors ( I was very tactful and understanding even though I feel he could have had me in to chat about it if he was not sure). He had only seen me once before he wrote the report and clearly had not read my file before writing the report. He then did (once his errors had been pointed out) a letter to the Appeals service confirming that I have the conditions I have but did not say the severity or how this affects me (in the report he wrote I could look after myself no problem and could walk just fine which is totally incorrect!). It has become clear to me that he does not support anyone claiming benefit and will give me the absolute minimum help he can possibly get away with. What can I do? I live in a very small village, he is the only doctor and is the senior man at the practice. I feel very frustrated, please help

Shirell Harper wrote:

My regular doctor recently left the practice, and had left just over a week before the one remaining doctor recieved the request for a report. I am now appealing to tribunal and looking at the doctors report went back to him to point out his errors ( I was very tactful and understanding even though I feel he could have had me in to chat about it if he was not sure). He had only seen me once before he wrote the report and clearly had not read my file before writing the report. He then did (once his errors had been pointed out) a letter to the Appeals service confirming that I have the conditions I have but did not say the severity or how this affects me (in the report he wrote I could look after myself no problem and could walk just fine which is a total lie!). It has become clear to me that he does not support anyone claiming benefit and will give me the absolute minimum help he can possibly get away with. What can I do? I live in a very small village, he is the only doctor and is the senior man at the practice. I feel very frustrated, please help

If he has wrote lies you should report him to the PCT and the GMC are you 100% sure ?

Hi Shirell, Dave

I can understand how frustrating it must be to have an inaccurate and badly drafted report from a doctor. But I don't think they can be called lies. You can't be certain that the doctor intentionally gave false information, as opposed to inattention to what he was doing (inattention is what many doctors are good at).

Shirell, if a doctor is unhelpful, it's usually best not to send his report. As you already have, it would be best not to rely on his report, but provide your own evidence by way of a description of how you disability affects you (don't know which benefit your appeal involves). Evidence from any other profession involved with your health may help, as will non-medical evidence such as witness statements from people who know you well and have witnessed how your disability affects you.

You'll find detailed information about submitting evidence in the appeal guides.

Good luck with your appeal

Derek

If you disagree with the report then I would make it clear to the Decision Maker that you contest the contents of that report and reject its findings - formally.

The basis of rejection could be on the basis that the author of that report is not the person who knows you best; as the departure has left someone whom you have only seen once, relying on written notes which may not represent you conditions and how they affect best.

Certainly eveidence from others will help, i.e. Any other person(s) who assists with your care or is able best to descibe how your condidtion affects you.

Basically, you need to make it clear that the evidence of that report is not factually correct and challenge it through an Oral Tribunal. Oral Tribunals seem to have a higher sucess rate.


Hope this helps.

Shirell - one possibility if you can afford it is to see if the doctor who knew you before would give you a private report. Doctors' charges for reports vary widely, but some GPs don't charge much if it's for benefits purposes. You could find his current address from the GMC.