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GPs told to stop benefit letters

GPs in south east Wales are being advised to stop writing letters supporting benefit appeals.

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GPs 'not responsible' for benefits decisions

The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) says that if further medical evidence is required for a benefits application, it will be requested by a healthcare professional working for Atos Healthcare. GPs are required to complete this as part of their terms of service.

A decision on whether someone is well enough to work is taken following a thorough assessment and after careful consideration of all the available evidence. That can include supporting medical evidence from the claimant's GP or other healthcare professional.

GPs have been clear that they do not want to be responsible for making decisions on peoples’ benefit entitlement, which is why we have processes in place to request the appropriate information from GPs to enable us to make those decisions.

– Department of Work and Pensions

If a benefits claimant appeals a decision at an independent tribunal they can submit any extra evidence which they feel may help their appeal, but it is not a DWP requirement.

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GPs told to stop benefit letters

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