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I tried to renew my blue badge and was asked for an evidence from last year. Obviously as I have long term conditions I have only prescriptions in last year which is not enough. My medical records summary doesn't show half of my conditions and unfortunately any that says something about mobility issues. I don't know why doctors don't update it. With 1 condition I have to describe everything every time because my records don't show it. And they don't add it. I don't know what to do. My practice is very unsupportive. I think I have to complain somewhere.

I have my WCA for income-based ESA, and move from DLA to PIP hanging over me, they are over-due and could happen anytime. So I am now in the habit of making appointments to see my GP, even though I know my GP can't medically/healthcare-wise do anything to help me, just so that when I do complete my next benefits form, I'll have a fairly recent GP appointment I can write about, and I use the appointments to say things I hope GP will type in their summary of the appointment, which are relevant to criteria on the benefits forms. So I say things to my GP like "I've come to tell you that the pain and stiffness in my hands has got worse. This means I am having even greater difficulty with picking up and moving objects."

I've also sent in screengrabs from 'Systmonline' patient online service where I can login and see what my GP typed as their summary of my appointment with them, going back several years. And I paid (well, my Dad paid for me) £289 (that was the total cost for her driving to my home, the assessment, and writing two reports) for reports from a private occupational therapist for a housing needs and domicilary occupational therapy report - initially for an application for council housing, but I will also use it for WCA renewal and when they make me do DLA to PIP. The housing report was an essential requirement for the council housing application and the council OT's didn't have the specialist knowledge of sensory processing problems which I needed explained.

I learnt it's very important to get a copy of patient summary from GP reception to check through it before submitting as evidence. And even if you don't choose to submit it as evidence, it's what most GPs (or my GP anyway) will send to assessors instead of filling in the boxes on the GP-to-assessors form UC/ESA113. My GP patient summary was wildly out-of-date and inaccurate. Where I've mostly be seen my healthcare professionals other than my GP, the information of diagnoses and treatments had not made its way on to my GP's patient summary. This is in part due to problems involving the GP admin staff who receive the information from other NHS departments having to decide what code number to allocate to a condition, not being sure, and so not allocating a code number... which means it then doesn't appear on the GP patient summary. I made an in-person appointment to see my GP (four to six week wait for this) and in a very orderly manner presented my GP with each report of each diagnosis, after explaining the importance of my GP patient summary matching up with what I'm saying to DWP, because otherwise it looks like I'm lying to DWP (who don't take time to read all the thorough reports I send in). I expected to have to make a series of appointments to get through this task, but the GP decided to push on and get it all done in the one appointment, making her very late for the patients she was seeing after me. I have also submitted results of PHQ-9 (depression) and GAD-7 (anxiety) tests which are available online as evidence. As a very nice OT I had some sessions with once said to me as she gave me her report to include with a benefit's claim "They won't read it, but the bulk of paperwork indicates to them that you have the needed evidence, so they can't so easily dismiss your claim."

I'm currently struggling to get supporting letter from my GP who has been happy to do so sine 2010 but now the practise are too over worked to do this. Also my summary health record was poorly presented, did not list my ongoing arthritis in knees back hands all that have been a x rayed and diagnosed over the years, largely because they are being treated by pain management as there is nothing else healthcare professionals can do due to surgical risk factors. Also Carpal issues bi lateral were not included both have been diagnosed long ago. Finally it appears my named GP is a bloke I have never met or had a consultation with and I am registered under him it seems. Even though my regular GP is the one I have always seen. I have opted out of summary record now as it does more harm than good and could compromise my claim. Luckily I kept every record of x rays surgery physio consultant intervention over many years so I can use those to fill the gaps but on the whole summary records are a mere snapshot that don't capture half of what is currently affecting a patient.

I lost ESA in November last year because I didn't have much medical evidence to back me up in my last assessment. I had been on it for many years with no problems. I think it's partly because of not having face to face assessment, but in my case I just hadn't hassled my doctor enough!! But my GP has done everything he can do, but now I can't get to see a consultant face to face, it's phone calls only. My back is that bad that I've been offered a fusion by 2 consultants, it cannot get better on its own, but I cannot get DWP to accept that my pain is real and as bad as it is
I have various back problems and severe migraines and a few other problems. I have some days where I can do things but not without a hell another of medication in me which causes problems in its self. But most days I cannot leave the house.
Because I lost ESA I had to go onto UC and now I'm being forced to go to the jobcentre every 2 weeks to say how many hours I can possibly WORK!! 
The person at my jobcentre who deals with disabilities said I needed to get a voluntary job in a charity shop 1 day aweek ( so they don't have to rely on me ) but now I'm being hassled to do more hours. I haven't even been able to do it once a week every week because I cannot walk or stand long enough. I have put in an appeal but I pretty sure it's not going to go in my favour because I don't have enough evidence. They won't even accept a sicknote from my doctor as proof that I cannot work
I don't understand how the evidence that I have sent in before isn't enough if the reports mention 20+ years of acute pain , 35 tablets a day and a strong pain patch ( 3 of my meds are controlled drugs) spinal fusion of 4 vertebrae, migraines that have put me in hospital or needing injections from out of hours GPS,  miniscule tear in knee and bad ankle because I have to walk differently, severe arthritis in my neck and TMJ.
I was told that it was not worth appealing my ESA decision because I everyone on it  would be going over to UC. What I didn't realise was how much money I would lose by doing it and how I would be treated by DWP as someone they thought capable of having a full time job. How can someone just look at a few reports( I don't believe they even look at evidence, jut your application)and make an assumption about me.
I don't choose to have UC, I have no choice. Who would choose to live on so little money and get so much shit thrown at them? 

Oops I just wrote long comment but hadn't subscribed so lost it but about to check out these apps. One I have is patient access which will get you easy screenshot of repeat meds but not great however my GP practice manager ager sends me encrypted emails of records whenever I ask. This is like rare as no such luck when tried for my dad with his practice. What you want to ask for is a brief EMIS summary as me turned for meds and Conditions if you can't get full records but a subject access form will get you them all. 

I won't go on again but away to fight a system I believe needs exposed for leaving me giving lost my partner, 2 major surgeries, bullied upon return to work so my mind as well so paid off on ground of ill health by NHS after 20 years service. Keep fighting.


I'm exhausted by it all but won't give up as that's what they hope everyone does.

https://www.gpprimarychoice.co.uk/gpca-about
I am a care advisor, it is a free service in North East Essex. We reciece referrals from doctors, clincians, relatives of patients and pstinets themselves. We complete benefit application forms and have access to patient notes. This we are a le to provide much needed evidence in support of claims. This service is much needed elsewhere 🤷‍♀️ website with details above. This service needs rolling put nationwide 

For claimants with Electro Hyper Sensitivity (EHS) there is no recognition of this condition within the NHS let alone the DWP. No treatment, no relief, no benefit payment.

I support people to complete benefit application forms. I've experienced it's always been difficult to get supporting medical evidence as GPs don't have the time to write such letters & when they do they charge £20+ just to say what conditions you suffer with. I know this from personal experience as I needed a letter a few years ago to travel abroad with my meds, the letter just stated what a repeats prescription slip would have said. Since Covid the process has become more complicated even making an appointment had become more difficult. 

I find having GP summary cam be helpful as it's free. However it still doesn't explain how an individual struggles with day to day activities. To be honest GPs won't have this information anyway. Individuals with long-term health issues tend to manage this with the repeat medications prescribed and hardly book appointments, in my experience they aren't seeing any specialist as there is nothing more available to them so they have no current medical evidence as they are not currently seeking support but still managing poor health. 

Hi have received amazing support from my GP and Consultant and they write an update report whenever it’s needed. I have just had to be reassessed for PIP I don’t know how long I have wait to find out if it will continue because this is the first time I’ve had to be reviewed. Anybody have an idea? Thanx in advance x

I tried to get pip but without evidence too many Dr's see me when I have appointments I have to go through my history with them everytime I have no chance on earth in getting pip 

Hi I always get my records printed each time i have to do the forms ,when i finish i order copies from my GP so i have them ready for the next assessment. I always keep a copy of all i send and if you can get an MP letter it helps enormously. Good luck all.

I have found that the more evidence you can link to aspects of the questions really makes a difference. Success with that. Also, sort through medical evidence carefully-dont just send it. Pick out what shows abnormal bloods, xrays, etc..the clear diagnosis of your conditions, list of all appointments going back 5 years and then annually, dont send in evidence where it says ' you are fine' etc.. it gives the DWP assessor excuse to weaken your application.  Hope that helps! 

Best thing I have found is regardless of whether you have an up and coming review or are thinking of applying for pip etc.. get the medical notes annually. First time, apply for everything in your hospital medical record. Scans, consultant notes, xrays, tests, blood tests.. the whole lot! Same goes for the gp. Write to ask the practice manager. Tell them you need everything they hold on you. Same as hospital. Be specific. Each hospital needs contacting. This way each year all you need to do then is update the last 12 months. That way you always have up to date medical evidence to hand. It also gives you time to correct anything in your notes and or talk to/or ask for any changes to be made to your record that you are not happy with. You will be amazed how your records can differ from what you say to the medical people and how they understand what youve said. You will also find out if they have not told you something or you want clarity and further explanation. Then keep the notes in order of health condition. I find this is easier for reference when sending information to DWP. Hope it helps! 

My doctors surgery isn’t interested in helping patients with DWP reviews.  I have asked for medical evidence many times but have been refused.  My GP won’t even talk to them on the phone.  I had a GP for years, who is now retired, he was a wonderful support to me but sadly his replacement is not helpful.  

My tip is to ALWAYS take at least one other person with you. They don't need to speak, just to sit quiety behind you whilst you engage with the assessor. They cannot refuse and they need not know who this person is.  Just say it is it is a friend or advocate.  Tell the companion to make notes as they listen.  Not to speak to the assessor or interrupt.  It can be good for them to smile and/or nod
occasionally, or slowly shake their head if the assessor is being unreasonable.
PIP or DWP have in the past disallowed recording equipment which is very unfair.

My GP surgery allows access to test results, medications, consultation and events through the nhs app but will not put medical documents on there. Which is what you need for pip. I have to physically go into surgery fill out a form to request them to print documents. 

I can access my medical records online, I am registered to do so at the local medical practice.

I have a complex lifelong disability. I have always kept a folder with letters from consultants, results of tests and hospital admission / discharge letters which I may need to support ESA / PIP submissions. I have often helped others with their PIP claims and tell them to continue keeping such info.  In my own case, on transition from DLA to PIP I included all relevant info, plus the full detailed medical from ATOS whereby they advised my Area Director and Cabinet Office to accept that I be medically retired from my job as an HEO with DWP.  At assessment I asked if the assessor had read my medical reports. She replied that she 'never read them' as she preferred to make her own assessment! Her report contained many errors but I just got enough points to remain on higher rate.... (I was so ready to go to appeal!!!). E.g I have self catheterised for over 30 years and I have an ileostomy but I now have upper body parasthesia with loss of hand function (which she physically tested and acknowledged) and so have problems with managing both and with changing clothing and bedding - I am a full time wheelchair user. I scored 2 points for Managing Bladder and Bowel.  
In essence.... you can submit all pertinent info, but it means nothing if they do not consider it.