In recent months we have received an increasing number of letter and report requests from patients. Although we always aim to assist our patients as much as possible, many of these letters or reports are not covered by the NHS Contract and therefore the practice is not required to undertake this work. Taking into consideration the substantial amount of time it takes for the GPs and administrative staff to prepare these letters and reports, we thought it would be helpful to outline what the practice will not provide letters for and the reasons behind this.

We will reject any requests for:

Housing support letters

There is a specific process that allows patients to communicate medical conditions to the Council. Patients need to complete a self-assessment form first and this is usually all that is necessary. If patients wish to submit any existing medical reports or a medical summary along with their application, this can be obtained by accessing the NHS app or by requesting a patient record summary from the practice.

If the Council needs to know any further information, they will then write directly to the practice (alongside the patient’s written consent), asking us to supply confidential medical information which may be all or part of the medical record. There is therefore no need for patients to provide medical reports or to ask the practice to provide them.

In fact, most Councils explicitly state that they will not take support letters from their GP into consideration.

Hackney

You can request a medical assessment by calling the Council on 0208 356 2929.

Housing support letters are not accepted as evidence; this is clearly outlined in their policy.

Haringey

Patients can request a medical assessment by following this link.

There is no request for GP letters to be submitted alongside the self-assessment from the Council.

Islington

You can request a medical assessment following this link.

Housing support letters are not accepted as evidence; the Council clearly states “Please do not ask your GP for a letter.”

Letters for schools

As a policy, we do not provide letters regarding children that parents can provide to their school. As per Government advice, GPs do not provide short term sickness certification for periods of fewer than 7 days or issue medical certificates for longer periods of sickness absence unless the patient was seen by the GP at the time of the illness. GPs are not contractually required to undertake this work.

Additionally, we will not provide letters about other matters relating to a child’s health and wellbeing for school purposes. If the school requires some information from the practice, parents are welcome to give our generic email address to the school (nelondonicb.cedarpractice@nhs.net). We will be happy to respond to their information request, provided that written consent from the parent has been provided.

Support letters for PIP (Personal Independence Payment) and ESA (Employment Support Allowance)

The practice will not provide support letters for PIP, ESA or other benefit claims. The DWP will contact the practice directly to obtain medical evidence when a patient submits a claim. This report is then sent back to the DWP as part of the claim process.

If patients wish to submit any existing medical reports or a medical summary along with their application, this can be obtained by accessing the NHS app or by requesting a patient record summary from the practice.

All other letter requests will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, and the practice reserves the right to deny any requests based on the information provided by the patient. As such letters are not covered under the NHS and therefore are considered “private work”, there may be a fee payable. This can range from £15 for a simple letter to £55 for more complicated reports.

We thank our patients in advance for their co-operation and understanding. By helping to reduce the administrative burden on the practice, it means more time is freed up for our GPs to do what they do best, which is seeing and treating patients!