How much medial evidence to send at first?

Well I've received my dread brown envelop regarding my 'call up papers' and I'm trying to prepare myself for the worst.

I was wondering how much medical evidence folks on here recommend sending with the initial form (ie letters from consultants concerning a persons illness) before the actual medical rather then wait to be failed and then sending it to an appeal.

My GP said wait until they fail me. I've got to pay for a privately for a letter from the last consultant to see me (which was a few years ago I hasten to add) which I hope won't be held against me.

I'm one of who due to the complex nature of my illness have been pretty much left alone to get on with things as my condition is incurable and poorly understood by the NHS. It's Not life threatening but resulting in constant pain and fatigue.

Hi,

If you can afford it I would say send the evidence in with your claim form, the earlier it's received the better the chance of the right decision being made.

However, it isn't cheap to pay a consultant so I can see why you might choose to wait and see what happens - you may get the correct decision without it.

Having to pay for medical evidence is perfectly normal, the DWP or tribunal will not know you paid for it but it would make no difference if they did.

Steve

Thanks for that. Yes, to even get the letter I will have to pay to see him again (it's been about 5 years since the last time) and that won't be cheap either.

Will it be held against me that I haven't been under a consultant for such along time. The last time I saw him we discussed bladder removal as a last resort and he said I wasn't a good candidate for some reasons and that was that.

When all this first started I went to see a chronic pain clinic which turned out to be next to useless, but recently I thought I'd give them another go and I'm waiting to see them at the moment but they keep canceling on me at the last moment which is very annoying especially now that I have this medical coming up.

My advice would be to make sure your GP is totally up to speed with how your conditions are impacting on your ability to undertake day to day activities and how this would impact on your ability to undertake work related activities.

It is so important to go back to basics with your GP especially as you have been "left to it" over the years.

A well produced GP report will probably be money well spent - I had one produced for my recent DLA renewal, and it was £35 well spent.

Hope this helps

Chris

Well thats good to hear because my GP is superb. She's been my support fro many eyars now both physically and emotionally. Even offering me a wheelchair to borrow when things were at their darkest for me pain wise. She says she will fight for me on my behalf so I hope that will help maters. She doesn't even charge me for it, which is so kind of her considering all the letters she's written for me over the years.

Sadly I have to move home soon, (infact I'm delaying doing so just so I can get proper help to get through all of this) and so I don't know how I'm going to cope without her in the future, I really don't

Hi Justme

I really don't envy you having to move to another GP. My GP is so supportive and has helped me over the last few years, but she still doesn't know just how bad things are with my disability and at my diabetic appointment today i broke down and told the nurse practitioner everything. I have agreed to see my GP on monday morning and update her fully on my situation. I guess we see our GP's as very busy people and i don't know about anyone else, but i feel ashamed at admitting that i can't deal with my disability anymore and i need some help.

I am sure i am not alone in feeling like this but come monday she will know everything. I really don't have any excuse for not revealing all before as she is very understanding and listens. As hard as it may be it will be worth it!!! I was having such a bad day today but in a way i am pleased as it was such a great weight off my shoulders.

Mm xx