Advice R.E. Mistake on SGC Application

[deerstalker.308]

How are “we” supposed to know what notes the Dr made on their files from a visit when we were much younger, you don’t get to see what they put down on your record, it wasn’t until getting the NHS app during covid, I was made aware on my record I’m apparently allergic to chlorine, I have never declared that when signing forms asking if I suffer with any allergies as I hadn’t got a clue I was! I don’t think what you’ve done was intentional or wilful?

 

[Jeff8861]

Do they really write "low mood" in your medical records? Seems a bit petty, if they do.
I once told my doctor that I was feeling thoroughly depressed, whereupon he wrote out a prescription and handed it to me with a smile - it was for viagra.
There's been no mention of that on the GP letter that I had to submit with my most recent renewal, and I've never mentioned it on any of my grants or renewals.

Yes they do now becoming more common.

 

[cjm1066]

A large part of the FAC/SGC application are a memory test.

Clearly you got it wrong, but that was in innocence, you weren’t dishonest and acting to correct it is good evidence that you had no intent to deceive.

If your GP undertakes the Medical Information Proforma, you don’t see your medical records.

In my case I used BASC and the instructions are “apply for a full set of your medical records from your GP to be sent to the medical expert, by email or post”. Again, I don’t see the records.

Let’s hope at the next renewal they wil only want the records for the last 5 years!

 

[25 Sharps]

Hi all!
I've been a lurker, but not a poster up until now, as I was waiting getting my SGC in hand. It's on that topic I write...

I've been going through the SGC application process in Wiltshire (As I see people have been asking timelines in other threads: New application. Applied October '21, had first call from FEO around two weeks ago). I've had the FEO visit, a chap called Dave with his new trainee, both very nice and the interview/cabinet inspection went well. In the meantime I was awaiting docs from the Doc.

Turnaround was pretty quick, two weeks from my local GP, and I received the filled-out form today. Now here lies the issue... When making my application I cheerily ticked "no" on all of the "is there anything wrong with you" boxes, as I'm (touch wood) fortunate to have stayed healthy throughout my life. Now...it turns up there was a "code" on my record for "depression" 21 years ago when I was 19/20. Never received treatment, never received medication. I'm assuming this was the result of a convo at some point with my GP when I was a mopey teenager, and that became a note on my file... The depression tag in itself would assumingly not be an issue, with time passed, no actual need for treatment etc. The problem as I see is the fact I technically (although innocently) didn't disclose!

I've sent the completed Doc's form to my FEO this afternoon along with a mea culpa and a "wow, I was surprised to see that". I just wanted others with more experience of the process chime in and let me know if I've just been sunk by a clerical issue? Putting myself in the FEO's shoes, I'd immediately take a VERY dim view if what someone had filled on their application, and the contents of the Doctor's report were saying two different things.

Thanks!

Speak to your FEO, explain that it was really nothing and that you had genuinely forgotten about it or it was so minor that you didn't realise they'd recorded it (whichever is true), you'll fine.

 

[Liveonce]

it’s not unknown for errors on medical records, if you have no recollection of such you could challenge it with your GP.

 

[Stalker62]

it’s not unknown for errors on medical records, if you have no recollection of such you could challenge it with your GP.

Just crying out for a diagnosis of "amnesia:"...

 

[Sonicdmb73]

Just crying out for a diagnosis of "amnesia:"...

Or early onset dementia

 

[Corvonas]

Seems I stopped getting thread notifications! Didn't realise how many more had replied. Thanks for your input all.

Had a quick call with the FEO yesterday, yup it seems I was overreacting somewhat. Apparently this is something they see a lot, a jotted note from a GP becomes a formal "marker". As long as there was no diagnosis/treatment, no bother.

Here's hoping I get a nice document land on my doormat in the coming weeks. Then things get expensive..!

 

[TH4]

That's what happens when you listen to some of the tripe that the instant experts on here come out with. A lot easier and less stressful to do as you did and phone firearms licensing and ask them. Hope you get your fac soon.

 

[Andyquadra]

The firearms department local to me demands the reports are sent directly to them - so this may not work.

Every force is different. I've just submitted my renewal and I have to get the report myself and upload it as part of the online renewal

 

[Steve2_1]

When I was in my early 20s, I split with a gf which put me in such a low mood I ended up going to the docs asking for help. I was prescribed anti depressants. I took one look at the symptoms on the info leaflet, said nope, threw them in the bin, got a grip, and did not see the doc again. Pulled myself together and life went on.
This was 15 years ago. When I applied for my grant in Oct 2021, I declared this little long ago incident ''just in case''.
I had my FEO interview last week, they picked it up in their own medical checks, said it's not a problem, thank you and well done for declaring.

Essentially, with a grant, renewal, anything FAC related, when it comes to anything mental based involving medical services, if in doubt, declare it. They like the honesty. And it seems they will find out somehow, and look at it negatively if not declared.

Of course this can be difficult now they look much further back at things potentially one would forget in time.

 

[Liveonce]

Every force is different

Hear lies the problem, every force should not be different, they should be following the HO statutory guidance.

 

[Sonicdmb73]

When I was in my early 20s, I split with a gf which put me in such a low mood I ended up going to the docs asking for help. I was prescribed anti depressants. I took one look at the symptoms on the info leaflet, said nope, threw them in the bin, got a grip, and did not see the doc again. Pulled myself together and life went on.
This was 15 years ago. When I applied for my grant in Oct 2021, I declared this little long ago incident ''just in case''.
I had my FEO interview last week, they picked it up in their own medical checks, said it's not a problem, thank you and well done for declaring.

Essentially, with a grant, renewal, anything FAC related, when it comes to anything mental based involving medical services, if in doubt, declare it. They like the honesty. And it seems they will find out somehow, and look at it negatively if not declared.

Of course this can be difficult now they look much further back at things potentially one would forget in time.

This is in essence why we ended up with this somewhat farcical system of medical checks. People “forgetting” to declare things and their dishonesty being found out. Along with some major cock ups by various firearms licencing departments.

It can also as demonstrated by this thread be impossible to know what some doctor wrote on your record (possibly incorrectly) at some point in time. The problem of not having your own GP as opposed to whoever is available on a particular day. Comes to mind, quite different to when I went for a signature from my GP (when they and similar standing were a must) and he asked about all the family before getting to me.

 

[Northwest]

I think you're worrying needlessly.

Personally I think this is a reflection of the honesty of many, many certificate holders and a desire to be straight, sadly many "authorities" do not see it the same, shame on them.

 

[NoIDeer]

The fear of mentioning their "low mood" or more serious problems to doctors will inevitably lead to shooters not getting the treatment they need.

We'll be labelled the happiest cohort of people in the land, little do they know

 

[sy247]

You completed the form honestly to the best of your knowledge. I didn't think there would be a problem.

 

[jsmithglass]

I'm in basically the exact same position as you, I completed the form carefully and made sure I took my time over it.

I had a bit of time off in 2021 due to a crap job that I hated, went to the gp and got a sick note with 'depressed mood' written on it, had time off and never went back to the job. It was such a short time (3 months was mentioned on the report), I had no medicine and no ongoing treatment, plus the gp never actually said to me "you have depression". I got my report back from med cert and the day I sent it to Durham police I wrote an email saying that it was a genuine mistake and I hadn't thought about it as I wasn't on medicine etc..

Haven't heard from them since (no news is good news?) It was a genuine error on my part and I'm not trying to hide anything. I came clean about it in an email and that's all I can do. It would be impossible to say that every single person who holds a SGC or FAC has turned over every single minor detail in their life. We're only human!

 

[Farmer_J]

I got a diagnosis from drs of acute stress a couple years ago after a period of consistent headaches. Things were a bit haywire in my life with house move, house renovations, a pregnant wife, a 4 year old, a new puppy, covid, etc etc. It took the doc to point out all of this and suggest I take a bit of a back seat for a while and see if the headaches stop. I took the advice, headaches stopped.

I have a renewal next year, I also have a marker on my medical for firearms. I’m sure if the doc was worried he would have passed on the info.

Also talking to other firearms owners I think there’s a bit of misconception and the police’s view is changing slightly to take into account one’s mental health, and a visit to the docs for mental health related topics is certainly not a deal breaker and could in fact be seen as a positive for taking account of oneself and not hiding it away to manifest.