HC Deb 25 July 1986 vol 102 cc733-4W
Mr. Dobson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether a standard form exists for his Department's officers to submit to general practitioners where medical statements are required.

Mr. Newton

A standard form, DLSB/131 is available for issue to the claimant when doctor's evidence is needed to support a claim. The claimant is asked to approach his doctor for him to complete it.

Mr. Dobson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what advice has been given to his Department's officers in relation to accepting claimants' own word rather than demanding medical statements especially for weekly additional requirements.

Mr. Major

Guidance on the circumstances in which doctor's evidence is needed to support a claim is set out in paragraphs 4003–4005 of the S manual, a copy of which is in the Library.

Mr. Dobson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what procedures exist for the reimbursement by general practitioners of charges for medical statements where these should not have been levied.

Mr. Hayhoe

Complaints that a general practitioner may have failed to comply with his terms of service by charging for a certificate which should have been provided free are investigated by the family practitioner committee. If, following an investigation, the doctor is found in breach of his terms of service, the family practitioner committee may recommend to the Secretary of State that a sum should be recovered from the doctor's remuneration and the charge refunded. Anyone who believes that he may have been wrongly charged should first seek clarification from the doctor and, if the matter is not resolved satisfactorily, should complain to the family practitioner committee within eight weeks of the issue of the certificate.

Mr. Dobson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why general practitioners provide medical statements for social security purposes free of charge.

Mr. Hayhoe

This is a provision of general medical practitioners' terms of service. I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the right hon. Member for Stoke on Trent, South (Mr. Ashley) on 15 April at column367–368.