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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU, school letter

133 replies

Giddypants · 07/09/2017 17:11

AIBU to not pay a £50 (which I can't afford) GP letter that says my child has food allergies?
DS2 started reception on Tuesday, school have said they can't give any lunch except a baked potato until I have filled in the school dinners form which asks about food intolerances, allergies, or sensitivity.
On the front of the letter it asks for proof of allergies from his GP.
I have rang the GP for a letter, which he informed me he would have to charge me £50 for said letter.
DS has a nut especially peanut allergy and has a small reaction to tuna.
The school has a no nut policy anyway.
He doesn't like tuna and won't entertain it, so there is quite minimal risk that he would come into contact with any allergens.
I understand why the school need to be informed, but why isn't my word good enough? after all I've told the GP what he is allergic too and they have in record from what I have told them.

OP posts:

Turquoise123 · 08/09/2017 17:28

a print out from your GP of your child's tests/vaccinations ( free) would give the information - I use these for proof of vaccinations

HaudYerWheeshtBawbag · 08/09/2017 17:49

You should tell the school to request the information from the GP if they don't believe you.

Speak to them tell them they want to charge you and you cant afford it, they will just let it drop then I bet

NO they wont, OP has said her child has a allergy, the school has a legal dury of care and they need proof of this, until then the child will eat baked pots!!!

LairyMcClary · 08/09/2017 17:52

I understand why the school need to be informed, but why isn't my word good enough?

Because stupid parents tell stupid lies claiming their kids have allergies that they do not. Simple as that.

MsHarry · 08/09/2017 17:52

Our hospital consultant wrote to us to confirm nut allergy, I just copied this and gave it to the school. GPs don't normally diagnose allergies without a referral.

MsHarry · 08/09/2017 17:54

Unfortunately there are cases where allergies are fabricated to gain attention, therefore the school has a duty of care towards the child to make sure they are acting in his or her best interest, not that of the parent.

MiniMum97 · 08/09/2017 17:56

Just send back the form including the allergies. Don't send the GP letter. I wouldn't make any reference to it unless they ask. And then I would explain that the GP has said they want £50 for it so if they want to pay for that you are happy to arrange it. They would be very foolish (and opening themselves up to litigation) if they ignored what you have told them.

Jone123456 · 08/09/2017 17:56

£50 seems extortionate. I had a similar issue with my DS but the GP quoted £15 for a medical letter.

Frazzaboo · 08/09/2017 17:56

I would ask to see details on screen at GP, take a picture on phone, the school I teach in, would accept that.

Justgivemesomepeace · 08/09/2017 18:00

My son is allergic to raw egg. I know because whenever he comes into contact with any, he goes red, eyes swell, intense itching... antihistamines clear it up in a couple of hours. I have never taken him to the gp regarding this and he would just have to take my word for it anyway. School have just asked for his antihistamines and for me to fill a form in. They have his picture on the wall for the dinner ladies. I doubt the gp would give me a letter and what a waste of everyone's time.....

Sirzy · 08/09/2017 18:01

Just - I would go to the GP because with a reaction like that he may well need to carry an epi-pen just in case as reactions can change over time

ChinkChink · 08/09/2017 18:02

Even if the GP writes the letter, he/she would only be able to state that the parent had informed them of the allergy/reaction, not that it had been diagnosed/tested.

Which you means you would be no further forward.

user789653241 · 08/09/2017 18:03

I haven't RTFT, but it sound odd, if you have ever been tested for allergy, you would have results from doctor. Copy of that would be enough for evidence. Test range from pricking skin , blood test, and actual ingestion. No one can diagnose allergy without proper test. My ds has negative results for prick test and blood test, but has delayed reaction to milk, and doctor's letter still state he is allergic to cow's milk.
My ds has variety of allergies ranging from fatal to mild reaction. Only thing I have given to school is the copy of action plan and results of test from hospital. They never asked for individual letter.

Mill46 · 08/09/2017 18:04

This is s classic . Many diferent agencies like schools / employers demand letters from doctors to support or validate this and that . Doctors are not paid to write letters hence the demand for 50 quid . From what you say - it seems he actually doesn't have an allergy ? There is a test for diary and wheat isn't there ? A letter from consultant paediatrian is what you need unless it hasn't been diagnosed by a dr ?

Sparklyglitter · 08/09/2017 18:04

Do a data protection act request from the Dr regarding your child's records - mine did a summary for me this would have all about the nut allergy on it. If you can't find the hospital letter? Sorry haven't managed to read all of thread. Good Luck! 😀

pollymere · 08/09/2017 18:07

My dd is allergic to parsnips (hopefully not outing myself here!!) I've never required a letter from my GP, but have needed to fill in a care plan for the school stating what will happen if she eats them and what they need to do. Usually the care plans filter out the fussy eaters as genuine allergies will have proper reactions. This care plan should include a letter giving permission for the school to use an epipen if required and prescribed. A school will usually want two (for serious allergies this could make the difference between life and death so point this out to GP if their snotty about it, if you have on repeat just order an extra one).They're then on a list in the kitchen and Staffroom stating their allergies.

A way around it is to get your GP to write a Carrying Medication letter. These are free and state the reason too. My surgery wanted to charge me (receptionist!) So I spoke to the Practice Manager who confirmed it should be free. Or you just ask to speak to the Practice Manager if the school really won't budge.

Justgivemesomepeace · 08/09/2017 18:08

Really Sirzy- you got me worried now. I'll take him. Thanks.

pinkunicornsarefluffy · 08/09/2017 18:09

OP, I'm glad you are going to get him tested. I am allergic to penicillin and that came on very suddenly after being on it for 11 weeks solid. Doctors will not try me on it again, as each subsequent reaction could get worse/be fatal.

As far as I know, nuts are the same. just because it is a mild reaction now, doesn't mean it always will be, and he should definitely have an epipen.

Once he is diagnosed, you will have official stuff that you can give to the school, along with an epipen to keep there.

I don't blame the school for asking for proof though, I know of several parents who say that their kid is allergic to certain things, when in reality they just don't like it.

user789653241 · 08/09/2017 18:10

If he only have peanut allergy, you don't really need to worry anyway? Most school are "nut free" these days, you just have to make sure your school is one of them. But still, I can't imagine any school meal include nuts these days.(Or am I too naive?)

user1495656648 · 08/09/2017 18:17

i paid £75 for my G.P to write a letter confirming allergies to nursery. Id of remortgage to pay for that letter if it ment my son was safe. By the time he started school his hospital consultant provided a full care plan free of charge. unfortunately the school had to foot an expensive bill to get all staff allergy aware and epipen trained, but they have been wonderful in going out of their way to ensure every potential risk is covered. they wouldnt have been able to do any of that without medical evidence

Myhomeismycastle · 08/09/2017 18:25

OP you definitely need an allergy test, repeated exposure to an allergen can cause more severe reactions with each exposure (I know the school is nut free but DC could be exposed anywhere) my 2 DC's are both allergic to diary & egg & are both consultant led care with this.

I have nothing on my person as such to state this but would be able to gain a letter via their paediatrician or Gp.

I think people do throw the allergy word out too quickly when it could be a simple disliking of foods, which causes issues with true allergies.

HorridHenryrule · 08/09/2017 18:37

Why wouldn't you want your son tested. You don't know how severe his allergies is or how worse they could get. If it was me I would be straight up that doctor asking to be referred to a consultant.

ChelleDawg2020 · 08/09/2017 18:39

YABU to be honest. £50 or a potentially serious reaction. Wow. Hard choice.

Anyway, a baked potato for lunch is hardly a disaster.

Jeanneweany · 08/09/2017 18:40

Get a free read out from gp surgery, of recent medical history. You get them when referred to the hospital. Xx

MollyHuaCha · 08/09/2017 18:42

I think the requirement for a GP letter is simply to stop the masses claiming non-existing allergies for their children. If you go into school or telephone/email to explain, I would expect the school to take your word for it. Good luck.

PuckeredAhole · 08/09/2017 18:43

I'd pay the £50. Less fuss. Not everything related to the NHS can be free you know.

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