GP dragging their feet over DVLA assessment

[Wafflesandcrepes]

My FIL needs a GP assessment to confirm to the DVLA whether or not he’s fit to drive after a really bad fall six months ago. His GP Is dragging their feet, saying they have a year’s backlog of these assessments as they only get paid £85 by the DVLA so they only offer them when they can. The DVLA has written to the practice but FIL is still not getting any appointment.

Anyone been in this situation?

Thank you.

That's bad. Complain to practice manager?

One option is to get a private GP appointment.
GPs are starting to work to rule and ‘only’ seeing 25 patients a day . That is a lot in itself but it means that backlogs are going to get worse.
Essentially the GPs are firefighting and an appointment like this may take a while.

What was the reason for the fall? Was it ‘just an accident’ or is he more frail, Parkinson’s, an issue with eye- sight?
You could help by getting an up to date eye test and physio review? If a GP knows that a big part of the work has been done they might be able to prioritise it if it is likely to be an easy yes.

DVLA pay half of that, not £85
They offer £42 and this hasn’t risen in about 20 years
That’s before tax, so left with about £15 with the marginal tax bracket

DVLA assessments are not NHS work so need to be done out with normal day to day nhs work. So often on non working days or after hours. They are not priority when there is so much NHS demand for appointments. That said a long delay does cause problems for the person requiring the assessment. It doesn't warrant a complaint but an email to explain the delay to driving etc.

So maybe the GP is not ‘dragging their feet’ as the title says. But is choosing to not work when they are not at work.
Like everyone else.

It was a simple fall while running down slippery stairs. Hospital consultants have run many tests since - including brain scans and eye tests - and everything has come back clear. We’re now waiting on the GP. I’ve no idea what this assessment entails or how much time it takes.

£42 is ridiculous. No wonder the GP said he waits until he has enough cases to deal with so he can block book them and make it worth his while.

FIL tried to go private but not sure what happened with this one. I’ll have to check.

Thank you.