The policy for LLR in regards to requests from patients for GP to provide letter to support housing application is, that there is no requirement for GP’s to provide such letters. In fact the councils applications for housing /housing benefits.
This is not part of core services and therefore you may charge an appropriate fee for the work involved or you may refuse to do it.
We would simply inform the patient of this positon.
If the letter has been requested by the Local Authorities then you can follow the following guidance:
From time to time GPs are requested to provide reports for the patients to Local Housing Authorities and Housing Associations. This is not part of core services and therefore GPs may charge an appropriate fee for the work involved or you may refuse to do it.
We would recommend that you ascertain the following before providing a report:
- who is requesting the information
- what information is required
- agree a fee for this un-funded work in advanced
- agree who will undertake payment of invoice
- obtain written consent from your patient to release the information
Practices are welcome to use the template letter to send to the housing department, when you receive these requests.