Hi
Just reviewing the discussion on medical evidence. I still think the doctor 
should not be asked to speculate on the potential impact the condition might 
have on participation in education. Without access to full information about 
e.g. the nature of the course, previous strategies the student might have 
used etc, the doctor will have to speculate rather than provide fully 
informed comments.

The evidence should detail the nature of the condition, relevant medical 
history and current management details.

I do think the doctor should be asked to give details on the 
treatment/management regime e.g. medication type, dosage, frequency. I also 
find it helps when GPs give some information on the possible side-effects of 
medication in general terms e.g. sedation, concentration problems, etc.

Ian Francis


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Anne Berquier" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 10:25 PM
Subject: Re: Medical Evidence


>I agree Lesley. The doctors often have no idea of the impact on study and
> even if they do, they are not aware of the accommodations available within
> the university. For example, I have received letters saying that a student
> cannot do assignments when they were able to do them with the assistance 
> of
> Dragon or a scribe. Doctors also often downplay the side-effects of
> medication, especially the psychiatric drugs.
>
> I see it as the role of the Disability Adviser to discuss the impact of 
> the
> disability with the student and to make/recommend the appropriate
> accommodations, based on this discussion and the adviser's experience and
> knowledge of disability, the university environment, and the available
> services and facilities.
> I suppose we may be fortunate in Australia that we do not have to answer 
> to
> a body such as the LEA and therefore have more flexibility.
> Regards,
> Anne
>
> Anne Berquier
> Disability Adviser
> Student Support Services
> The University of Queensland
>
> Telephone: (07) 3365 1757
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Lesley Morrice
> Sent: Wednesday, 14 December 2005 4:10 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Medical Evidence
>
> Sounds ok in principle, but is the GP the best person to identify what
> impact this will have on study activities?  I had a GP who said that in 
> his
> opinion it would NOT impact significantly on the individual's study
> activities - and the LEA wouldn't then let me carry out an assessment! 
> The
> student was visually impaired and WAS having difficulties, but due to the
> GP's letter, the LEA wouldn't budge!
>
> Lesley
>
>
>
> Lesley Morrice
> ACCESS Centre Manager
> (Academic Support Tutor)
> Student Services
> Room A5A The Orchards
> University Park
> Nottingham
> NG7 2RD
> UK
>
> Tel:               0115 8466114
> Fax:              0115 8466116
> EMail:            [log in to unmask]
> Website:        www.nottingham.ac.uk/as
>
>>>> [log in to unmask] 12/13/05 7:01 PM >>>
> I don't know about you but my GP has his own ideas about what to write. 
> Most
> of the GP letters I see are appallingly unhelpful and patronising "This
> young man has XXX"
>
> What would be really helpful would be is someone could produce an
> appropriately worded guide for GPs on what to write that could be made
> available on-line and through DOs This might take the foprm of a letter.
>
> Something along the lines of
> DEar Doctor,
> Would you please write me a letter to give to my LEA so that they can
> authorise support to be made available to me as a disabled student.
>
> It would be helpful if the letter gave the name of my condition, the
> symptoms of the condition and side effects of any medication and the 
> impact
> this would have on study activities such as reading, note taking, writing
> essays, practical activities, travel etc.
>
> and so on.
>
> Mick Trott
>
> In a message dated 13/12/05 03:24:24 GMT Standard Time, [log in to unmask]
> writes:
>
> << I think it makes sense for an institution to adopt the same policy on
> medical evidence as used by LAs. LAs require evidence that clearly states 
> a
> disability exists. As Bryan says, a GP letter that says the student 
> 'claims
> to have ...'  or 'tells me he has ...' is not evidence of a disability. 
> The
> GP letter must clearly state that the student is diagnosed with the
> condition . For example, if the GP says the student has eyesight problems
> he/she must say what condition is causing these problems. If the LA or DO
> has any concerns about the potential effect of this condition on  studying
> he/she should seek further advice e.g. by contacting RNIB. >>
>
>
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