NHS GP refusing to issue 'fit and healthy' letter

[minnielovesalbert]

Hello,

I am applying to several EU summer intensives that require a 'fit and healthy' letter from the GP to take part in performance art/sport. 10 years ago, I did that for my son when he needed a Child Performance Licence and I had no problem getting his NHS GP to look him over and said he could take part. It was very simple and a three lines letter. My GP is telling me it should be done privately. Whilst of course I am happy to pay for the admin cost, I am baffled by this. If anything they hold the medical records.

 

Has anyone else been refused this? Is this reasonable?

 

Thank you

[alison]

I'm wondering whether the GP thinks that a full medical check needs to be done, or something?

[minnielovesalbert]

That is what they understood at first. They said they did not have all the machines. I told them my child is only 10 and not getting into Team GB and all that was needed was a letter similar to that asked for Children Performance Licences. A simple confirmation that nothing in the record indicates any issue and a cursory examination (blood pressure and whatever else). Still they refuse. 

 

[Farawaydancer]

Writing this sort of letter isn’t covered under NHS work and so it usually has to be paid for, similar to any medical firms that need filling in for vocational school. I think we paid about £120 for ds’s form filling in 2015. It did buy us a half hour appointment with the GP though whilst she did all the checks. 

[minnielovesalbert]

But 10 years my NHS GP did it for a children performance licence without a problem. Maybe things have changed. 

 

I just called Bupa (I am a member) and asked to book and pay for a GP to do one and they refused stating that they did not have access to the medical records therefore could not do it. So I am in a catch 22 here.

[Justkeepsmiling]

My GP was very awkward about doing this for my dd for a summer school abroad. He said it was because of fear of litigation. He scrawled over the letter that he was not a sport or dance specialist doctor and could not confirm that my dd was fit to take part! He did the same when asked to provide a letter for a vocational school application! He did give us copies of my dd’s medical procedures etc for the summer school and they accepted that. I was too embarrassed to send the letter with the vocational school application so I just didn’t apply for that school that specifically asked for a GP’s letter. 
I tried to get a private GP referral too and got the same reply as you. Is there another GP in the practice that you could ask instead?

[minnielovesalbert]

3 minutes ago, Justkeepsmiling said:

My GP was very awkward about doing this for my dd for a summer school abroad. He said it was because of fear of litigation. He scrawled over the letter that he was not a sport or dance specialist doctor and could not confirm that my dd was fit to take part! He did the same when asked to provide a letter for a vocational school application! He did give us copies of my dd’s medical procedures etc for the summer school and they accepted that. I was too embarrassed to send the letter with the vocational school application so I just didn’t apply for that school that specifically asked for a GP’s letter. 
I tried to get a private GP referral too and got the same reply as you. Is there another GP in the practice that you could ask instead?

So I am not the only one to be experiencing this issue. It is so sad that you could not apply just because of a piece of paper. It is not right. What baffles me is what do people do for children performance licences for which a GP letter is required? 10 years ago I got one from my NHS GP practice (a different one) and she even wrote that my son was the most beautiful baby she had ever seen. I was tickled pink. She was lovely.
 

Those forms are routine in France for any sporting event from the small village marathon to the Paris marathon. What do UK people do when they run it? This stuff cannot be that niche.

 

I am going down the route of a French private GP in London to see if that brings more luck. 

[Ruby Foo]

There was definitely another thread from last year(?) on this topic which had some useful information and people who had successfully attained this. 

[Flower]

We had to get one for DD's boarding school. It's not vocational or anything, just a regular boarding one, but they wanted a letter confirming that DD was fit to attend. Cost us about £60 and the GP didn't even want to see her!  There was no trouble getting it though - just try another GP or practice. This was only a year ago.

Edited 9 hours ago by Flower

[alison]

1 hour ago, Ruby Foo said:

There was definitely another thread from last year(?) on this topic which had some useful information and people who had successfully attained this. 

 

There are these, but I thought there was something more recent:

Showing results for 'letter' in content posted in Doing Dance. - BalletcoForum

[Peanut68]

Likewise last year we had to get a letter/form filled in with evidence of vaccinations (general childhood ones plus Covid) for an SI in USA. Had to arrange with the practise manager to drop in form for them to then get GP to complete & then await a few days to collect it. I think nurse did weight/height/blood pressure too. We were charged I believe £30

It’s  really wrong that NHS GP practises don’t seem to have a standard procedure & charging scale for this type of thing as it’s pretty common for education/sport/employment/

travel 

[Swanwings]

I did this last year, it seems a lottery depending on you NHS/private GP. my NHS siad they would do it (for a fee), but only a certain time every week, we needed it quickly so this didnt work. We found a private GP who was happy to do it, but I think it depends very much on each individual practice/ doctor.... I think its best to phone around.