Can private doctors and specialists give med certs? Spitting feathers!

[PurpleNel]

Having finally been reduced through 18 months of ever-deteriorating health, doctor refusing to accept I have a thyroid problem, having been rejected for NHS endo and ultrasound, presenting a heap of abnormal bloods (only slightly abnormal says doc) and having to fight for every tiny scrap of what passes for medical attention I have now had to accept I am too ill to work.

So, benefits it is - for the first time in my life. And I need a med cert....oh no....another battle.

I asked GP to put ME on it as I know they don't accept my Hashi's and I am officially NHS diagnosed with ME (although ironically I now believe this might have been Hashi's all along). It has taken me 2 weeks to get this medical certificate out of my GP and now it has finally arrived it has 'low mood and anxiety' on it.

Pssgfggggkkkkkkfffffgugug********** was my reaction. WHAT?!!!

I have now registered with a new GP surgery and I have an appointment with them next week to discuss changing it. My old GP surgery say they can do nothing as everything now passed over.

So, in my typically long-winded way I want to know if that yields nothing will the private specialist I am seeing at the end of October be able to issue me a cert with the correct thing on it? From what I understand she is a private and NHS doc.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

NHS England says:

If you're off work sick for more than 7 days, your employer will usually ask for a fit note (or Statement of Fitness for Work) from a GP or hospital doctor. Fit notes are sometimes referred to as medical statements or a doctor's note.

nhs.uk/common-health-questi...

I find the page somewhat confusing - if you are being treated by someone other than a GP or hospital doctor, what should you do?

Also, not clear if the processes are identical in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

[PurpleNel in reply to helvella]

I can't see anything on here that says 'if you are being treated by someone other than a GP or hospital doctor, what should you do?'Am I being dense?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to PurpleNel]

No - that is what I meant. There is NO guidance if that is the case.

[PurpleNel in reply to helvella]

Aha I see. Sorry, my brain catches up eventually!

[PurpleNails Administrator]

I can’t answer you question but how awful for you.

I can see why you are fuming, if you have a diagnosis of ME why put what they did.

Hope you have more help with new GP as old GP are just passing on everything.

[nellie237]

I just googled and found this

gogodoc.com/sick-note?gclid...

BUT, it does state "Gogodoc is a private GP Service and does not provide Med3 notes. These are available from your NHS GP only." So. I'm guessing that in order to claim benefits you need a Med3.

I completely understand your anger and frustration, but I would put in the claim anyway....you can always get subsequent notes for your ME. I expect a private doctor might be agreeable to writing to your GP to ask them to provide a Med3, but that would take time and funds that you need to hold onto.

[PurpleNel in reply to nellie237]

Thanks. Oh the power these incompetent GPs have to mess up our lives....sigh. Just going to have to hope my new GP is willing to change it I guess.

[nellie237]

I wish you the best of luck with the new GP.