Or stupid or not?

[EllenandBump]

I wrote to my former health visitor, who last saw me approx three months ago in a different part of the counrty asking whether she would be able to write a letter supporting that she was about to sign me off after PND and could she also make a note of any incidences where she had suspicions of DV. Now i am doubting she will be able to help. She saw us regularly there sometimes twice a week when first diagnosed so hoping she can help but AIBU in even asking? It really would help my housing case if she did. Have also wrote to my new HV and asked if they could check my records and make a note of dates that any incidences were picked up on. I thought having both would be better?

Surely you can apply for your medical records?

You can apply for medical records but it costs upto £50 and even then it might not be the correct information. Thought if i could just get a letter it would be better and if its not documented and she had suspicions not written down she could put them in the letter. x

If your medical records are on computer, get in touch with the practice and request, formally, in writing "notice of their fee for having the information they hold about you, on computer, disclosed to you, under the provision of the Data Protection Act" They are legally obliged to charge only a "reasonable fee" (it used to be under £20 but that was a while ago, but it still shouldn't be much over that) and they are obliged to accept said fee from you and give you a hard copy of everything they hold on you, on computer, that is covered under the Act. (This is handy with banks if you need copies of old statements too, it's much cheaper than actually getting whatever it is you want, and you get everything)
They might just "give in" and offer you your notes instead, otherwise they MUST hand over that print out within a reasonable time. If they don't, contact the Data Protection Registrar, name and address available at any public library or online.

Ellen, I'd ring your old GP practice, and leave an urgent message asking to speak to her sometimes it's difficult to get through the receptionists' "screeing". It might just be that your letter hasn't got to the top of the in-tray. I'd write another letter, headed "Urgent Request".

If this fails, write a formal notice to them in line with what PomBear advises.

Agree with Pom. A DPA Subject access Rights Notice (SARN) is a good way to go. I believe the current maximum fee is £10 per organisation, so I'd SARN the NHS and send copies to all the relevant parts and people saying you expect them to comply within the month time limit.

The Information Commissioner (as s/he is now called) has a website with all the info on.

Good luck. And I think you should ask for the letters, too.

I was hoping that they would write back with the needed information to be honest, just all of a sudden i thought maybe they have better things to do than help me. I am not being unreasonable to ask though surely? What harm can it do?

YANBU. Most HV I have worked with would be more than happy to write a supporting letter, particularly where DV is involved. If not then new health visitor should have access to your records in time as they are transferred when you move practice so could write the letter for you. The worst that could happen would be for old HV to say no - ask away.

HTH

Ellen this never seems to end for you does it? You've posted about this and other troubles many times before but what are you actually doing to rectify it all?

I have written to both my old and new HV, and new doctor and hopefully someone will write something to support me! And if i get more than one supporting letter surely that can only help my housing application further? x

Supporting letters can really help applications where I live - might it be worth contacting the local housing office and ask them whether letters from HCPs would help? Some housing officers are lovely and will advise (some are arses and won't!)

my homeless officer was obviously an arse and wrote to tell me firstly to bugger off back then to say basically the police took it no further so your lying about DV, and now having to ask for a review of their decision. DHA (through shelter housing law specialists) are helping me and my advisor claire said that supporting letters would really help, anything tha goes in my favour. She also wrote on her decision letter that my ex was prepared to make the relationship work which is obviously why he went to a solicitor for contact and divorce! x

It's good you have Sheler involved - they seem to know their stuff. Maybe worth your advisor contacting the HV to give your request a bit more weight? Good luck

I was going to ask her to if i dont hear anything back, but going to give them two weeks and if i havent heard anything then chase them! Dont want to get nasty or pushy or they might not be so willing to help! x

I work for Shelter and we deal with things like this all the time. It would be worth contacting your local Shelter office or ringing the Helpline to see if they can give you any advice on what to do next.

I was in contact with shelter a while ago and they put me in contact with DHA (housing law specialist) and they were fantastic. Just the council said no and my advisor said any supporting evidence would improve my chances. Could i ask, how likely am i to over turn their decision not to house me? They have basically said no because the police took no further action adn declined to comment on whether it would be unsafe for me to return, so they have said that if it was unsafe fopr me to return the police would have said so, but then it goes the otehr way surely, the police could have said it was safe to return but didnt? x

I can't comment on your area but it might be worth getting in touch with a local DV support service - as far as I am aware rehousing isn't decided on whether the perpetrator has been prosecuted but most authorities do ask for some proof i.e police call outs. DV support services might be of more help

I was hoping that the HV reports saying that there was suspicions of DV would help prove it. Seems so complex to prove it. And how can they say he is prepared to work on the relationship when it was HIM that went to a solicitor about DIVORCE?

Re-reading this thread, surely if your former HV had dealt with you in a domestic violence situation, this would be in the medical notes which your new GP/HV has? I'm not quite sure why this wouldn't have been recorded in your notes. Perhaps the place to start is your new GP?

She didnt know about the DV i always denied it (mainly cos he was nearly always there) and because i had just been diagnosed with PND and he had convinced me that they would take our baby away if i said anything. If she only had a feeling or suspicions she might not have put them on my file, i am also asking her to confirm she was happy with my progress and about to sign me off, which will help with the residency etc. I have asked my new HV too, wrote her a letter as well and asking my GP when i se her on 19th. Trying to do everything i can to help myself.

So you're asking her to write a letter confirming you were a victim of DV but she never knew about it? How's that going to work?

Sorry, posted too soon. Do you have any reason to think she was suspicious, and might have noted those suspicions? I'm not sure you're going to get what you want from this. I suppose she may have noted her enquiries about DV and your denial - which is hardly going to help you.

she did ask about DV and i said it was just names. What i really do need for all the residency stuff is that my old HV had no concerns about me coping and that she was only going to phone me in a months time after my last appointment to check i was okay and then sign me off. She definetly seemed suspcious and did give me some leaflets of womens aid and the sunflower centre (crisis for women suffering domestic abuse) so she must have had some suspicions. Its pretty hard to say anything. My friend was there when she asked at the time so i said it was name callig, just really cos i knew my friend would go mad. She also suffered it and i think she knew too really. She did say the name calling was really bad. x

I think perhaps the first place to start, as you've already written, is to ring her to follow up your letter, and explain the situation.

However, I'd be surprised if you got anything much out of her as your care has now been transferred to the new HV. Who also has no concerns - over your care or where you are living.

I got a phone call from my new HV who does know about past DV, but also knows i am at mums and wouldnt open the door and just phone the police, she sounded like she had spoken to my old HV but apparently thre files have not yet been transferred so she wouldnt be able to write a letter until she has the files, which were requested almost two months ago, she did say they could have got lost in the post...i thought medical records were supposed to be sent securely unless i am wrong? Looks like i am relying on my old HV, or new doctor. Its pointless asking my new doctor for notes as it will only be what they have since i moved. Such a mess and so difficult. x

I just don't understand the first bit. Sorry. Why not call the police if their intervention is needed? That way you have records of what's happening, rather than suspicions.

Sorry if I've misunderstood.