Guidance to practices following requests from the housing authority
Housing Departments requesting letters from GPs
Across LLR the policy with regards requests for housing letter would be similar to other regions, there is no requirement for GP's to provide such letters. In fact the councils applications for housing /housing benefits do not hold any weight for such supporting letters.
We would simply inform the patients of this. 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
- 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 or to discuss further, call the LMC office on 0116 2962950