Pip form

Hi Clueless

Well done for getting the form off. I hope you do not have to wait too long to hear anything. In the future, if you need information from your medical notes, you could have requested them from your GP.

BIS

Hi Clueless_

I'm sorry that your doctors were not more helpful. According to the government, by 1996 - 96% of GPs used electronic records. Many have had computerised records since the 1980s. I find it difficult to believe that they couldn't give you anything. If you need your notes sometime in the future - you could ask to speak to your practice manager and put in a SAR (Subject Access Request) and they should provide you with a copy of your medical notes. People often get provided with a cd with the information, though some do give paper copies.

I hear what you're saying that you wouldn't know what to send into the DWP - but I want you to know you should be able to get hold of something, and there might be someone in your life who could assist you in choosing what would be useful if you need evidence.

Getting hold of old paper records can be difficult - because they may have been destroyed. However, someone should be able to confirm how long records are kept at your GPs and where they are stored if they exist. The length of time they keep them is not consistent. A friend of mine got some records a couple of years ago that were thirty years old - she was lucky and she did have to go back to a previous GP to get them.

If the DWP think they need medical evidence, they should contact your GP and ask for it.

BIS

Hi Clueless_

I think even some of the people who actually work there probably don't really understand or know what's what!
It seems to be all over the place these days, being told different things, from different people.

Regards, Chris