Doctor's letter and marker on medical records

[Boristhedog]

I've recently had a renewal and my GP had to confirm to the police that there was nothing on my medical records to cause concern. The GP had also to put a marker on those records to advise the police of possible future issues.

As my records now have a marker, would it be reasonable to assume that no further letters will be required for renewals as the GP would have already notified the police of any issues as they developed.

 

[palmer_mike]

I've recently had a renewal and my GP had to confirm to the police that there was nothing on my medical records to cause concern. The GP had also to put a marker on those records to advise the police of possible future issues.

As my records now have a marker, would it be reasonable to assume that no further letters will be required for renewals as the GP would have already notified the police of any issues as they developed.

No, they’ll sting you at each renewal

 

[bluesako]

yep matey, they will wring you dry every renewal, mine cost £89, wrung me out and left me to dry bs.

 

[kes]

I've recently had a renewal and my GP had to confirm to the police that there was nothing on my medical records to cause concern. The GP had also to put a marker on those records to advise the police of possible future issues.

As my records now have a marker, would it be reasonable to assume that no further letters will be required for renewals as the GP would have already notified the police of any issues as they developed.

I think its rather open to question. Some renewals have taken place in Scotland I believe where no additional full medical was required just, as you say, the assumption that any change would have been notified. Since the new, Unchallenged, system came in, I would suspect the Scots are the first to experience this since they were about 2 years before England and Wales, Scotland of course claimed leeway in the HOG for a devolved power - just as our orgs claimed leeway for Chief Constables who, they say did not have to conform to HOG. Why have HOG then ?

 

[mealiejimmy]

Police Scotland started the "No GP letter = No Certificate" policy in April 2016, so we'll find out the answer to this question next April
If the the certificate holders GP has put a marker on their medical record and he/she has not contacted the police during the validity of the certificate with any concerns regarding the certificate holders medical situation, then I don't see any reason for the police to require a further letter.
However, I have a sneaky suspicion that Police Scotland might want confirmation from the GP that they HAVE put a marker on the certificate holders medical record and that it will be down to the certificate holder to provide (and probably pay for) that evidence

Cheers

Bruce

 

[Suffolk stalker]

Just to add to this thread hopefully without hi-jacking it, my G.P. Surgery has been refusing to sign my request as they are “not doing private work”.
This has been going on since the first week of April.
After waiting over 6 months I am about to issues a Data Subject Access Request, which I believe will mean they have to supply me with my records for the last 34 years.
What a farce!
Sorry to butt in but I’m not happy!

 

[mealiejimmy]

Getting your medical records from your GP and giving them to the police will not help one little bit because the police don't want to see your medical records - they are not doctors.
What they want is a piece of paper signed by a doctor saying that:
a. He/she has no concerns about you owning firearms,
b. That you don't suffer from any of the medical conditions listed in the application form
c. He/she has put a marker on your medical records to highlight that you are an FAC/SGC holder

So, your Data Subject Access Request will get you nowhere
Contact Medcert, pay them £50 and you're sorted

Cheers

Bruce

 

[slider]

Yes,

As stated Police Scotland say no GP letter= no certificate BUT, this is a once only requirement. once you have done this once there is no need to go through his again.

 

[mealiejimmy]

Having read again the standard letter that Police Scotland want the GP to sign, one of the boxes that the GP should tick is that they have put a marker on the patients medical records to highlight the fact that they are an FAC/SGC holder
In that case, and assuming the GP does NOT contact the police during the validity of the certificate then I agree that there should be no requirement for another GP letter when renewing.

Cheers

Bruce

 

[slider]

I'm going through the process with Police Scotland just now and the PS paperwork states that the GP letter is a once requirement.

My issue is that my GP charges £200 to sign the letter. Consequently I am using the independent service medcert.co.uk.

The stupid thing is that under GDPR legislation my GP has to release my medical records to anyone I authorise without undue delay or a maximum of 28 days.- so my GP doesnt get £200, but has to process mu records to a 3rd party that doesn't know me from Adam !

 

[Apthorpe]

I'm going through the process with Police Scotland just now and the PS paperwork states that the GP letter is a once requirement.

My issue is that my GP charges £200 to sign the letter. Consequently I am using the independent service medcert.co.uk.

The stupid thing is that under GDPR legislation my GP has to release my medical records to anyone I authorise without undue delay or a maximum of 28 days.- so my GP doesnt get £200, but has to process mu records to a 3rd party that doesn't know me from Adam !

Serves the greedy git right. £200 is an outrageous shakedown.

 

[Suffolk stalker]

Getting your medical records from your GP and giving them to the police will not help one little bit because the police don't want to see your medical records - they are not doctors.
What they want is a piece of paper signed by a doctor saying that:
a. He/she has no concerns about you owning firearms,
b. That you don't suffer from any of the medical conditions listed in the application form
c. He/she has put a marker on your medical records to highlight that you are an FAC/SGC holder

So, your Data Subject Access Request will get you nowhere
Contact Medcert, pay them £50 and you're sorted

Cheers

Bruce

Thanks MJ,
I totally agree with your comments and I do understand the system.
Once I have received my records I will contact Medcert or someone similar and pay them to get the same info.
However after six months it has now become a matter of principle.
My FEO told me to make sure I had enough ammo prior to renewal and I’m an RFD so I can afford to wait.
I might have to change Surgeries though!

 

[Liveonce]

Having read again the standard letter that Police Scotland want the GP to sign, one of the boxes that the GP should tick is that they have put a marker on the patients medical records to highlight the fact that they are an FAC/SGC holder
In that case, and assuming the GP does NOT contact the police during the validity of the certificate then I agree that there should be no requirement for another GP letter when renewing.

Cheers

Bruce

Always assuming your GP engages in the process and adds the medical marker, a significant number are not engaging in the process and certainly if you end up using a 3rd party GP then no medical marker will be added.
The police have no way of being certain that the medical marker has been added hence the high probability that they will ask again for the medical report at renewal, so the chief Constables backside is safe.

 

[Liveonce]

Thanks MJ,
I totally agree with your comments and I do understand the system.
Once I have received my records I will contact Medcert or someone similar and pay them to get the same info.
However after six months it has now become a matter of principle.
My FEO told me to make sure I had enough ammo prior to renewal and I’m an RFD so I can afford to wait.
I might have to change Surgeries though!

The records should be requested by Medcert with your registered GP and sent by the GP directly to Medcert, otherwise how do Medcert or the police know that you the applicant have not edited or omitted part of your medical records?

 

[Suffolk stalker]

Yes I will be contacting Medcert as I said earlier.
The DSAR is for me after waiting 6 months not for the Police.

 

[Mista Shot]

Wait and See !!.
Friend of mine is now in the process of applying for FAC renewal from Suffolk Constabulary. Reluctant to pay the Dr.'s fee he has been told on good authority that if the police don't receive Doctors letter of approval within three weeks , the renewal will be granted . Five months ago reluctantly I coughed up 60 pounds to Dr. for my renewal. His surgery is only charging 20 pounds.
It's now a case of wait and see, watch this space , I will post the outcome in due course.

 

[slider]

Getting your medical records from your GP and giving them to the police will not help one little bit because the police don't want to see your medical records - they are not doctors.
What they want is a piece of paper signed by a doctor saying that:
a. He/she has no concerns about you owning firearms,
b. That you don't suffer from any of the medical conditions listed in the application form
c. He/she has put a marker on your medical records to highlight that you are an FAC/SGC holder

So, your Data Subject Access Request will get you nowhere
Contact Medcert, pay them £50 and you're sorted

Cheers

Bruce

Absolutely right Bruce, but Medcert need to make a Subject Access Request yo your GP to access the records they require to compete the medical form>>

The GP may try to delay this but GDPR legislation and BMA guidance both state that release of the records should not be unduly delated and in any case should be done within 28 days AND and no cost to the subject.

Everyone in this situation should use the legislation to put pressure on these blackmailing conscientious objectors.

 

[slider]

Wait and See !!.
Friend of mine is now in the process of applying for FAC renewal from Suffolk Constabulary. Reluctant to pay the Dr.'s fee he has been told on good authority that if the police don't receive Doctors letter of approval within three weeks , the renewal will be granted . Five months ago reluctantly I coughed up 60 pounds to Dr. for my renewal. His surgery is only charging 20 pounds.
It's now a case of wait and see, watch this space , I will post the outcome in due course.

That doesn't work in Scotland. Police Scotland are adamant that no letter = no licence

 

[slider]

Contact yo

Yes I will be contacting Medcert as I said earlier.
The DSAR is for me after waiting 6 months not for the Police.

Contact your GP NOW and put in a SAR's request, authorising release of your records to medcert, They have 28 days from receipt of the request

 

[Mista Shot]

Sorry to hear that, there is just no consistency .