In common with other GP practices in the UK, the GPs at this surgery no longer write “letters of support” that are occasionally asked for by patients or their representatives. Such work is not funded by the NHS and is not a good use of valuable clinical time. This includes, but is not limited to, letters for housing and benefit applications, sporting and cultural activities and exceptions from school rules.
If factual medical information is required by a third party, patients can provide this themselves from the NHS App where a medical summary is available to view. If this is difficult then a brief summary print out can be requested from reception. Such summaries are also available to prove the use of injectable medication prescribed by the surgery or that a pregnancy is under 32 or 36 weeks for the purpose of travel. Providing factual information in this manner provides just as much weight as an unnecessary GP letter.
In certain circumstances GPs are best placed to provide factual information, where consent has been gained, to other organisations such as the DVLA, insurance companies or the DWP. In these instances the organisation will pay a fee for the work and provide an appropriate form.
Occasionally the patient will need to pay the fee for such reports or some private travel vaccinations.