I am sure a lot of GPs have been inundated with requests for "free"
medical reports. I don't know if any of you have had MPs involved. I
quote directly from a recent letter from a MP.
"Regarding your letter to Mr X ... requesting a payment of £28 in
respect of a medical questionnaire.
The medical questionnaire was prepared by my welfare rights
officer....... The information requested in the medical questionnaire is
needed by my office in order to continue with Mr X appeal for incapacity
benefit......
I am aware of the BMA recommended charges for extra services provided by
GPs to their patients, I am aware that you are well within your rights
to make such a charge, but I am surprised that you are requesting a
charge of £28 to a person on benefit, a very limited income, and
effectively placing a financial obstruction in the way of Mr X claim for
incapacity benefit.
I therefore request that you reconsider your decision to make a charge
in this instance, and, perhaps, reconsider your practice's policy of
making a charge of this kind to your patients, particularly those
patients on benefit.
Yours sincerely,
signed. MP"
My partners and I object to any pressures put on GPs to subsidise the
social services or patients who are on inadequate benefits. I don't know
if any of you have a standard letter (not rude ones) which we can use to
put off any agencies who request for free medical reports.
Dr K M Chung
GP
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