Help Urgent New GP's and Sick Notes

[coolgeo5]

Hi

I need some help and advice urgently, I have osteo arthritis and have been on the sick since December 2011, During April 2012,

 

I put a complaint in against my doctor and decided to move to another practice nearer my home to a new doctor, the last week or two of April was spent going through the process of changing doctors ie: getting application forms sent in the post filling them in and posting them back.

 

 

At the beginning of May I saw the nurse then a few days later I saw my new doctor I explained to him that I had osteo arthritis and had been on the sick since December I provided him with all my repeat prescriptions so he knew what medication I was on.

 

 

As it was early May I needed a sick note back dated from 20th April as my sick note was up then.

 

 

My new doctor gave me a sick note from 1st May until present but said he would back date one from 20th April/30th April when he see's proof from my old doctors that I was on the sick.

 

 

I proceeded to put in my sick notes from 1st May to present but received a letter from the DWP saying they could not pay me anything until I put in the back dated sick note for 20th April/30th April I said I would see the doctor about it but could they at least pay me from 1st May till present as I had put in sick notes covering this period and have not been paid since 20th April and was needing paid ASAP they said no they cannot pay me until they get the backdated sick note

 

so I rung the doctors and explained to the receptionist who said she would let the doctor know and that I was to call back next day to see if the doctor had left the back dated sick note at reception for me, when I called the next day the receptionist said the doctor said he cannot backdate the sick note for this period as I was not registered with him then even although in theory I had started the process and if that was the case why did he not say that before and surely you are allowed a bit of leeway when changing doctors.

 

I now have had to phone up the old practice and ask the receptionist there if they can get me a sick note backdated for that period even althou I was between doctors at the time and they have said to phone back the middle of next week to see if I can have one or not and after complaining about the old doctor now is his chance to be spiteful now what happens when they say they will not give me one and my new doctor wont give me one to cover this period and the DWP wont pay me what am I supposed to live on?

 

 

Please help urgently thanks.

Edited July 6, 2012 by citizenB
formatted for easier reading

[RaeUK]

I hope you get better advice than what I can offer! In your old practice, is there just the one Doctor? The one you complained about? or are there several? My initial thoughts would be to make an appointment with another GP at your old practice and explain you need a back dated (un)fit note. They may still have a copy of your computerised records or / and another doctor at the same practice may know you as well. Just a thought ...

[Conniff]

I wouldn't think your old doctor would act in a spiteful way, it's not professional and could get him into trouble.

 

There is obviously some misunderstanding and communication breakdown so why not put your request to your old surgery in writing.

 

Obviously your new doctor can't give you a backdated sick note without all the paperwork because he isn't to know if you are entitled to a sick note during that period and if not then he would be acting fraudulently.

[assisted blonde]

I cant see why it took so long to change Drs, records are all computerised and can be sent immediatley. when I changed it took less than 48 hrs from putting in the application to being registered with the new Dr, anyway having said that no the new Dr cannot backdate a sick note without you being their patient at the time and having your records, but until you were registered with your new GP you were registered with your old GP so they should be able to give you the sick note you need and you would probably just need to phone and pick it up from reception without seeing a GP.

[geoffthechef]

Get to your mp,...The more we use them the quicker they will realize the system is broke.. Believe it or not but they listen to your mp.

[coolgeo5]

Thanks for the advice guys and Kelcou yes there are about 8 different doctors at the old practice, and Conniff my new doctor has now got my paperwork through and after saying he just needed the evidence I was on the sick since December to backdate my sick note he is now saying he can't as I wasn't registered with him from the 20th of April/30th April

 

if that is the case why didn't he say that to me straight away instead of keeping me hanging on for 4 weeks waiting until he got my files through I would have got straight on to my old doctors for the backdated one, also I have been on the sick since December non stop so I know my files/evidence would have to say exactly that and I actually phoned up the surgery on the Monday 23rd April to enquire about joining and the receptionist said I need to fill in a couple of forms and would send me them out in the post so all in all I was in the process of changing doctors during that exact period.

 

As for being spiteful believe me they all sing from the same hymm sheet and cover each others backs here you can tell by the way they all recite the same quotes by what ever they say on you computerised records. Assisted Blonde I know what you mean especially with computers they can have all your details instantly I think they are just being akward especially when they know I put a complaint in against one of their own kind as I said above he said he was waiting on my files then when he got them he then changed his story to he can't backdate it as I was not registered with him but I was in the proccess of registering with them and he knew as he had the date written down and never said he could not do that and you should be allowed a bit of leeway.

 

The other funny thing the new doctor did say was that his wife works at my old practice although she wasn't the one I complained about so it just shows you they probably all know each other and go to functions etc. I will now find out in the next couple of days if the old doctor gives me a sick note or not I will let you all know soon.

Edited July 6, 2012 by citizenB
formatted for easier reading

[frank_begbie]

Hi

I need some help and advice urgently, I have osteo arthritis and have been on the sick since December 2011, During April 2012,

 

I put a complaint in against my doctor and decided to move to another practice nearer my home to a new doctor, the last week or two of April was spent going through the process of changing doctors ie: getting application forms sent in the post filling them in and posting them back.

 

At the beginning of May I saw the nurse then a few days later I saw my new doctor I explained to him that I had osteoarthritis and had been on the sick since December I provided him with all my repeat prescriptions so he knew what medication I was on.

 

As it was early May I needed a sick note back dated from 20th April as my sick note was up then.

My new doctor gave me a sick note from 1st May until present but said he would back date one from 20th April/30th April when he See's proof from my old doctors that I was on the sick.

 

I proceeded to put in my sick notes from 1st May to present but received a letter from the DWP saying they could not pay me anything until I put in the back dated sick note for 20th April/30th April I said I would see the doctor about it but could they at least pay me from 1st May till present as I had put in sick notes covering this period and have not been paid since

 

20th April and was needing paid ASAP they said no they cannot pay me until they get the backdated sick note so I rung the doctors and explained to the receptionist who said she would let the doctor know and that I was to call back next day to see if the doctor had left the back dated sick note at reception for me, when I called the next day the receptionist said the doctor said

 

he cannot backdate the sick note for this period as I was not registered with him then even although in theory I had started the process and if that was the case why did he not say that before and surely you are allowed a bit of leeway when changing doctors I now have had to phone up the old practice and ask the receptionist there if they can get me a sick note backdated for that

 

period even though I was between doctors at the time and they have said to phone back the middle of next week to see if I can have one or not and after complaining about the old doctor now is his chance to be spiteful now what happens when they say they will not give me one and my new doctor wont give me one to cover this period and the DWP wont pay me what am I supposed to live on?

Please help urgently thanks.

 

Much easier to read when you leave spaces.

 

I'm going through a similar situation at present. Not been paid since 17th April. Phoned up when my benefit was not paid into my account.

 

They told me I wasn't covered as my sick note had run out and would need another one. Was using my Brothers phone so could not check up on this.

 

Checked the date of my last sick note (it also included my appeal) , it was for 23 Dec to July 23rd, so obviously I'm covered.

 

Phoned again, (they did not get the note) I have my suspicions that appeals are going missing to try and cut waiting list back logs.

 

I've since sent in a new sick note along with photo copies of the previous note, but its no good, they need another note to cover the period 17th April to July.

 

Last call I made the person said if you see your Doctor just ask her for a (Duplicate) of the note she gave me in January...it was for Dec to July.

 

So now I have to make appointment to see my Doctor next week, and ask for the duplicate and hope she gives me one.

 

I'll be going onto Pension Credit on July 6th. If I'd have known all the trouble and stress was going to happen I would have gone on the JSA for a few weeks to avoid it.

[coolgeo5]

Hi Frank,

 

thanks for re-doing my letter with spaces it's much better I'll bare that in mind in future.

it is terrible the way the doctors and DWP are treating people and as you say you have a sick note covering you from December to July so why do they need another one covering 17th April to July I sometimes thnk they make it up as they go along it's as if they are saying ok you have a sick note from 23rd December to 23rd July but we are only accepting it until 17th April the mind boggles.

 

I did say to the DWP well pay me for the sick notes I have put in recently which cover from the 1st May to present and I will try and get a sick note for the 10 days missing in April and they say no they can't .......Why can't they when the doctor has covered me for this period it's truly disgusting especially when if I wasn't on the sick I would be signing on for JSA and it is contribution based so money I am entitled to no matter what my circumstances are.

 

I have requested a telephone appointment from my doctor tomorrow to explain why he kept me hanging on all this time in the belief that he would backdate my sick note for the 10 days in April when he got my files through then change his mind and say he can't as I wasn't registered with him then, if he said that in the first place I would have asked my old practice for the back dated one ages ago.

I am afraid I am going to start screaming at him I am so angry with him it is alright for them in their cushy part time well paid jobs I'd love to see him live on £70 a week

then not be paid for 5 weeks,

I find every doctor I have seen all view you the same they all look down their noses at you as if your the **** of the earth because you are not working.

 

I wonder if there are any solicitors or anyone who knows legally what the rules regarding sick notes are when you change doctors practices and is it up to the doctors discretion and surely you are allowed a bit of leeway.

[frank_begbie]

Hello cool.

I think we should be ok as far as getting the notes we need to get the benefit owed to us.

 

If its a Duplicate, its already been issued, so its really just a matter of just printing it out again.

 

Then sending it in to the DWP. Recorded delivery of course.

 

Meanwhile I can live on fresh air.

[RaeUK]

coolgeo, I hope your new GP is better than your old one seems to be. For balance, I would just like to state both my own GP, and the Practice as a whole, are absolutely superb. I am treated well and everyone knows me by my first name. If I need extra time with my GP, I am never hurried out of the door. (Un)fit notes are not a problem and can, if needs be, be obtained by phone and collected from the Reception. On one occasion they have even been posted to the DWP on my behalf...

[coolgeo5]

Thanks Frank I hope your right and we get the money that we are entitled to but it is hard living off fresh air waiting that will be 6 weeks without any money and I don't really have many people I can rely on, some people don't have anyone that's what these people should remember.

 

Kelcou you are lucky you have a good doctor and practice as it makes a big difference to your life I truely dread every time my sick note is up ,

my new doctor is as bad as my last one he also said his wife is a GP at my old practice so they are probably all friends and aquantances who attend the same functions

and if I complain about him it will look as if I can't get on with anyone,

 

my new doctor said to me on the phone before I even met him and without knowing anything much about me.......I don't know why you can't work just because you have osteo arthritis !!!!!! surely as a professional man he should know it is different for every individual, What an ignorant remark to make.

I have worked all my life I am a 53 year old woman who's family has a history of arthritis, spondylitis and brittle bones, I also suffer very badly with asthma, depression and anxiety.

My experience of all the local doctors in my area is a bad one they are all singing from the same hymm sheet all sitting there thinking they are David Cameron they are all looking for brownie points trying to force any vunrable person they can who is on the sick back to work or to sign on the job centre.

[RaeUK]

I am so sorry to read your last post, coolgeo. You're absolutely right that a decent GP / Practice makes all the difference if you're long term sick or disabled. I've been with the same Practice for almost 15 years and the same GP for almost the same length of time. Obviously that means I've been able to build up a good relationship with them. I'm now in the reverse situation where I wouldn't want to move because of the care I get. Why on earth can't they all work to the same high standard???

Best wishes to you...

[Tiger Lily]

Hi Frank,

 

I did say to the DWP well pay me for the sick notes I have put in recently which cover from the 1st May to present and I will try and get a sick note for the 10 days missing in April and they say no they can't .......Why can't they when the doctor has covered me for this period it's truly disgusting especially when if I wasn't on the sick I would be signing on for JSA and it is contribution based so money I am entitled to no matter what my circumstances are.

 

.

 

A claim to any benefit has to be continuous to be kept live and in payment, so its just not possible to pay you from the 1st of May to date, or whenever you new med cert covers. You have a break of ten days and once that cert is in I can see no reason to why you will not get the ESA due to you

 

The fault clearly lies with your doctor, it would seem you have had some sort of communication breakdown with him/her.

I hope you get that cert soon so you can get this resolved.

[frank_begbie]

Got my Duplicate sick note today:-)

 

I'll be sending it in by recorded delivery first thing in the morning.

 

Surely they can't "lose" this one.

[coolgeo5]

Hi Frank

glad you got your sick note fingers crossed it all goes well for you.

 

Tiger Lily thanks for the advice I didn't realise if you had a short break in your sick notes they would make you re claim what a lot of palaver !!!

 

Well my new doctor reluctantly gave me a back dated sick note for the last 10 days of April after I had a bit of a hissy fit with him,

 

I said to him I could be signing on getting the same money no problem every fortnight as it's contribution based, he said well why don't you just go and sign on lol,

 

I said because I am unfit for work the mind boggles why are all these doctors deperate to get people off the sick and back to the job centre they must be getting some incentive for every one they sign off as fit for work.

 

 

Anyway as I say he reluctantly gave me one for the last 10 days of April but made a point of writing on it that I did not register with him until the 1st May,

in theory this is not true as I had already started the process of changing doctors the last week of April as I had to phone them then wait for them to send me an application form in the post then when I received it I then had to fill it in then post it back so it all takes time then they actually start adding your details on the computer,

 

 

so fingers crossed the DWP will honour it as I have still provided them with the sick note for the period the DWP asked for even although the doctor has tried to stick the boot in by writing on it I registered with him on the 1st of May I will let you all know what happens next I am hoping I get my money I now have not been paid for 6 weeks!!!!!

Edited July 6, 2012 by citizenB
formatted for easier reading

[coolgeo5]

Hurray the DWP have accepted the back dated sick note from my new GP and I have finally been paid after 6 weeks what a palaver,

I am now dreading when my latest sick note runs out at the end of this month as I have a feeling my doctor will not renew it with his bad attitude that just because I have osteo arthritis he doesn't see why I cannot work I'd love to see him work with my pain !!!

[RaeUK]

Congratulations for now at least! Don't forget to get your new note at least one week before the old one runs out. It takes time to post it and for the DWP to process it ...

[coolgeo5]

Hi RaeUK yeah that's just what I was thinking go at least a week before and see what the doc is going to do it all depends if he is in a mood or not he will still say I don't see why you can't work just because you have osteo arthritis and grudgingly write out another sick note or he will say I am not prepared to give you a sick note and I will have to go and sign on......I'll let you know lol.

[Slatted]

You say you have other medical conditions as well and I would hope/think that these should also be taken into consideration when determining whether you are fit for work...maybe if you were not having to contend with all the other things you might be able to cope with the pain of osteo-arthritis alone? You won't know and the GP shouldn't judge you based on a condition you have stated, especially without knowing you well enough. sick notes do not seem to lend themselves to detail so many GPs do not put all the circumstances that means someone is not fit for work so maybe you need him to understand it is you he is examining and not your condition! (does that make sense?)

[worried33]

Congratulations for now at least! Don't forget to get your new note at least one week before the old one runs out. It takes time to post it and for the DWP to process it ...

 

What happens if the GP doesnt do that tho? my GP has refused to before the old one runs out.

 

The DWP need to account for this.

 

Luckily I got a 2 week grace agreed, hopefully they will honour it.

[Slatted]

That is a discussion I had with BDC when told I should see my GP a week before...I said that there was no point in date being on the certificate if the GP had to be consulted prior to that date in order for the payment to be made on time.....told problem was with the GP but I can see the point....at least I can with ongoing health issues that are unlikely to change much in a week...

 

I can't see why an iterim payment could not be issued up to the date a certificate is held....

 

It is also now a lottery with the Post also isnt it? Can no longer rely on First Class being quick....

[assisted blonde]

just a thought can you not get a certificate for longer than a month at a time?

[coolgeo5]

Hi Guys,

 

yes I also have Asthma and get breathless very easily, I also suffer from depression and anxiety as well as my osteo arthritis, I'm partially deaf and wear a hearing aid.

I really think the doctors are getting some sort of insentive for everyone they get off the sick as the last 3 doctors I have seen all seem to be urgently trying to get people back to work for some reason.

 

When I said to my doctor when I needed my back dated sick note I wouldn't have this hastle signing my name at the job centre once a fortnight he said why don't you then !

I said because for me to sign on means I am saying I am fit for work and ready for any interviews and to take a job and I am not.

it just seems strange that he couldn't care less if I was signing on or working just as long as he got rid of me and didn't need to provide any more sick notes it's no skin of his nose providing me with sick notes.

 

I even said to him when he keeps reiterating that just because I have osteo arthritis doesn't mean I can't work,

when you look at someone with a broken leg and someone with a condition like cancer, arthritis or depression do you really think just because the latter three may not show any physical sign of illness that they are fit to work.

I have also said to him it's not just the osteo arthritis it is a combination of all my conditions that make it hard to hold down a job like if I can't even get a wink of sleep all night then how can I go and do a days work. if I take my very strong pain killers they knock me out make me sleepy or put me in a zombie dreamy like state how can I work like that.

 

I don't ever remember people getting this hastle years ago the doctor would just hand you a sick note when you where ill then when you got better they would say that your condition had cleared up or what ever there was no emphasis on if you were working or not.

If I ever get forced to go sign on I will make a point of telling any future employee about all my illnesses and that I would require lots of time off when I'm in pain.

[Slatted]

I think the Govt does have something to say to GPs who write a lot of "fit notes" without what they believe is good reason and don't forget where the funding comes for with regard to their practises!

 

Maybe the approach to a GP makes a difference as well...as I go and ask what they think, I itemise what is going on in my life and health and symptoms and how I feel and then mention the note being due....

[RaeUK]

I'm not so sure about GP's having incentives to write fewer (un)fit notes or being castigated for writing too many. There just seems to be a woeful disparity over standards of care. If a GP behaved in my Practice the way coolgeo5's does, he/she would be out on their ear. They would not be tolerated by the other GP's or Medical Staff. I really didn't appreciate how good mine were until I started reading some of the GP complaints on CAG! ...