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Original poster

GP charging for blue badge letter - disabled child

214 replies

GPlettercharge · 12/05/2025 10:58

Just checking if this is usual practice to be charged for a GP to write a supporting letter for a blue badge application for a disabled child?

My child is 5, has profound learning difficulties and ASD. Is non verbal and attends specialist school. Displays many challenging behaviours and has no sense of danger. Regularly refuses to walk and can also try to run into the road etc.

Our local authority are notoriously difficult in giving out blue badges and I was advised by his specialist school to get a supporting letter from the GP to apply for a blue badge as they’ve seen first hand how dangerous he is in a car park.

Our GP had an appt with him and has agreed to write the letter. However they have charged £40 for this.

Is this standard? It seems excessive, it’s not as though we’ve asked for a letter to support us going on holiday or something. This is for a disabled child!

I suppose I will pay it if necessary but wanted to check if this was the norm.

Thanks

OP posts:
lalalalalady · 12/05/2025 11:18

this is normal op

BlueandWhitePorcelain · 12/05/2025 11:15

In my LA, highest rate mobility of DLA/PIP is enough; or medical evidence.

I am not a lawyer, but it seems to me, your LA is treating disabled people unfavourably compared to other LAs. Could it be disability discrimination?

caringcarer · 12/05/2025 11:14

I think it's normal to GP's to charge for writing letters. My local council is also very reluctant to issue blue cards too. My foster son scored 12 points on mobility section on can't plan a journey or travel independently but they refused him a blue card despite others on his college course getting one with same points for same section on planning journeys only difference local council. It means I have to park almost 1/2 a mile away then walk with him to reception of his college. If he had the blue card I could drop him in back carpark and just walk him 50 meters into college reception. Only allowed into college car park if have a valid blue card. It's really frustrating especially in the winter when it's icy. I only want to be in the college car park for about 5 minutes twice a day.

whippy1981 · 12/05/2025 11:09

You are paying them to do work for you. Unfair to ask them to work for free.

HeartyViper · 12/05/2025 11:07

FadedRed · 12/05/2025 11:01

Pretty much a standard charge for non NHS work. GP’s are not paid by NHS Contracts for providing letters, medical reports etc such as this.

this.

angstridden2 · 12/05/2025 11:05

Have a word with your local or county councillor. A bit of pressure can help.

Original poster
GPlettercharge · 12/05/2025 11:04

Fair enough. Seems as though I’m being unreasonable and will have to suck up the charge.

Im just shocked by this. Although I shouldn’t be considering how hard every single aspect of his life is

OP posts:
Original poster
GPlettercharge · 12/05/2025 11:03

CCLCECSC · 12/05/2025 11:01

We just sent in copies of most recent medical correspondence from professionals involved which sufficed. No involvement from GP.

Apparently this is not sufficient with our local authority and they turn almost everyone down. Was trying to avoid a pain of going back and forth as we seem to do with everything to do with my son’s disability.

Im still scarred from the battle of the EHCP and getting him into a specialist school

OP posts:
Blueandblack2 · 12/05/2025 11:03

I am afraid it is. I would have just send EHCP, paed reports etc. Surely that should have been sufficient. I never go via GP for such things (both DC have SN).

CCLCECSC · 12/05/2025 11:01

We just sent in copies of most recent medical correspondence from professionals involved which sufficed. No involvement from GP.

Lougle · 12/05/2025 11:01

It's standard, I'm afraid. You can get a summary care record free of charge, but an actual letter is outside the GP contract and so it's chargeable.

YellowDuster12 · 12/05/2025 11:01

Yes, this is the norm. This is outside of their clinical work and so they charge for it. Some GPs surgeries may choose to waive in some circumstances, but they get asked for so many (and the letter takes more time than just writing it: they have to open records, research, ensure that what they're saying is accurate and defensible) it would be unfair to charge some people and not others. Because everyone who asks for a letter clearly requires it, so to be fair they should charge everyone or nobody.

FadedRed · 12/05/2025 11:01

Pretty much a standard charge for non NHS work. GP’s are not paid by NHS Contracts for providing letters, medical reports etc such as this.

dogsarecute · 12/05/2025 11:00

GPlettercharge · 12/05/2025 10:58

Just checking if this is usual practice to be charged for a GP to write a supporting letter for a blue badge application for a disabled child?

My child is 5, has profound learning difficulties and ASD. Is non verbal and attends specialist school. Displays many challenging behaviours and has no sense of danger. Regularly refuses to walk and can also try to run into the road etc.

Our local authority are notoriously difficult in giving out blue badges and I was advised by his specialist school to get a supporting letter from the GP to apply for a blue badge as they’ve seen first hand how dangerous he is in a car park.

Our GP had an appt with him and has agreed to write the letter. However they have charged £40 for this.

Is this standard? It seems excessive, it’s not as though we’ve asked for a letter to support us going on holiday or something. This is for a disabled child!

I suppose I will pay it if necessary but wanted to check if this was the norm.

Thanks

yes. I am sorry to hear that