For the Met at least you fill in the online form and need to attach the GP proforma as a PDF as a required part of the form so you need to be the one to do it - there is no expectation they get it directly
A@S Coterminous renewal off to a poor start.
- Thread starter Cyres
- Start date
I was told a doctors report was required and must be submitted with my renewal.
Eventually the doctor's surgery phoned asking me to come in, pay for it and collect it whilst I was there.
I had deposited it with them in an addressed envelope, but there was never any mentioning of them posting it anywhere.
For the £90 paid, I would've probably felt better if they'd had just sent it direct electronically without me seeing any content.
At least then I may have felt I got something done for my money.
Surely all this mishmash is just going to lead to further inefficiency.
As I recall, and I may be wrong here, my last renewal was £85.
This renewal is £155 + £90 so £245 and I've yet to see, or understand, any benefit to anyone including the general public.
Have I missed it, or can someone point out an obvious benefit so far from the costs increase?
That is how I was lead to believe it works.
All I can see it as, is the applicant is expected to be not only the police's administrator but also the doctors. The police admin bill goes down, the doctors save as well and meanwhile the general public are safer?
Yes right and we all live happily ever after!
I do wonder if this was all modelled on the UK tax system whereby there are thousands of unpaid tax collectors I.e. people running businesses, yet they are expected to hand over sums of money for nothing in return. All the paperwork is your responsibility and wow betide if you get it wrong. Obviously you are penalised if your vat return is late for example and likewise here i.e. no fac for you leading to further hassle and expense.
I can see the parallels, can you?
my GP emailed the report to FLO and i had a copy, which I also attached to my renewal application, I paid £80
nun_hunter
Well-Known Member
Could be worse, it could be like the US Tax system. They tell you to calculate your tax yourself and don't provide a free service for this with the added threat that they already know how much you owe and if you underpay they will fine you.
The companies that provide tax calculator services for a pretty high fee all lobby the government to ensure this system stays in place and there is no simple or free alternative.
Maybe mine did the email but there was no mentioning of it, interesting point to consider for someone as cynical as me.
It would instantly flag up (pun intended) then if you were a dubious character as in you had " doctored" (sorry x2 puns now intended in one paragraph
) the report to suit your own objective as someone suggested above, wouldn't it?Can anyone clarify if the paper copy goes to the applicant, however alongside is an unmentioned email obligation on the doctor to provide the factual datum?
Would using your GF sister as one of your countersignatories be acceptable, She's a company director, and technically no relation to me, but has known me for twenty years...
Apparently, it's not ok
I dare say there's all sorts of things that it's not really considered acceptable to use your GF's sister for.....
Bo Diddley
Well-Known Member
)Submitted coterminous application today. It took just over 2 hours to complete the form. Biggest issue was sorting out how to get my photo into a file which I could access on my PC. Not an easy task if your not technically gifted.
I spent at least an hour collating all the information and printing off the guidance notes.
Why you have to list a reason for having a moderator for every weapon is beyond me. Cut and paste was v helpful for duplicate answers as I have 4x Wildcat moddies.
Payement was v easy by credit card.
You can't save the form so has to be completed in one attempt so much relief when photo uploaded.
Anyway sense of relief that it is submitted.
Gp has not completed the medical form despite paying them in advance and saying it needed to be completed within 2 weeks.
D
I spent at least an hour collating all the information and printing off the guidance notes.
Why you have to list a reason for having a moderator for every weapon is beyond me. Cut and paste was v helpful for duplicate answers as I have 4x Wildcat moddies.
Payement was v easy by credit card.
You can't save the form so has to be completed in one attempt so much relief when photo uploaded.
Anyway sense of relief that it is submitted.
Gp has not completed the medical form despite paying them in advance and saying it needed to be completed within 2 weeks.
D
Received my papers from Northumbria Firearms Licensing last week 6 months be certs expire .
States clearly on the covering letter to complete and return ASAP.
Plenty time to sort it out and get it sent in
North Yorkshire Police specifically stated "do not submit without the medical certificate attached" IIRC
Hopefully your force will be more flexible on that point but it might be worth checking @Cyres ?
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Nope, A&S want the renewal in asap within the 3 month window they give, and you email the Medical Proforma when received to a separate email address.
In this day and age I find it ludicrous that the 40-odd police forces out there all do it differently. Absolute madness
Couldn't agree more. BASC SACS and all other shooting organisations need to get together and tackle this issue head on. The fact that we have seen a huge increase in renewal fees should lead to a efficient and timely service.
Also there needs to be standardisation in the cost of obtaining the medical certificate.
D
Also there needs to be standardisation in the cost of obtaining the medical certificate.
D
Doing that would require the agreement of the BMA, which I would suggest is extremely unlikely.
Keep in mind that GP's operate as independent businesses, which are outside of the NHS but contract with the NHS to provide services under what is known as the GMS (General Medical Services) contract. The GMS is negotiated nationally every year between NHS England and the British Medical Association’s (BMA) England General Practitioners Committee (GPC England).
The BMA have lobbied consistently for those services related to firearms licensing to be outwith the GMS and, as such, this allows GP's to charge certificate applicants a reasonable fee. The BMA explicitly states that it will not advise GP's on what the level of this fee should be. The fact that these services are non-contractual also allows GP's to "refuse to engage in the firearms certification process on grounds of conscientious objection because of religious or ethical beliefs".
Guidance for GPs on the firearms licensing process
We set out the BMA position on firearms licensing and what to do when someone applies for a firearms licence, including responding to the police and conscientious objection.
www.bma.org.uk
Northumbria say to send the medical papers in when you have them but to compleate application ASAP.
My last renewal 5 years ago they said not to worry if not received medical papers by renewal date they would still issue certs if everything else was in order .
May well have changed in 5 years though
FEO visit this am.
Very nice gentleman. I gave him my completed medical forms and he checked weapon and ammo cabinets and seemed happy. He also checked serial numbers and after a very pleasant chat went on his way.
If all OK at HO then I should recieve new tickets 1 week prior to expirery of current ones.
I was impressed by his professional and understanding attitude.
Well done A@S.
D
Very nice gentleman. I gave him my completed medical forms and he checked weapon and ammo cabinets and seemed happy. He also checked serial numbers and after a very pleasant chat went on his way.
If all OK at HO then I should recieve new tickets 1 week prior to expirery of current ones.
I was impressed by his professional and understanding attitude.
Well done A@S.
D
Recieve a letter from A@S this am. They had returned my medical form as GP forgot to state when my last consultation was!
So off to surgery to get the relevant date inserted. I haven't seen a GP in years last time was nurse practioner late last year.
Hey Ho.
Form now back in post £2.80p for signed for.
Fingers crossed.
D
So off to surgery to get the relevant date inserted. I haven't seen a GP in years last time was nurse practioner late last year.
Hey Ho.
Form now back in post £2.80p for signed for.
Fingers crossed.
D
