DS2 already has a blue badge. He gets one automatically because he gets higher rate mobility DLA.
The DC's consultant paediatrician has recommended that DS1 also has a blue badge, he doesn't quite meet the criteria for mobility DLA (he gets lower rate) but he's not safe outside on his own, certainly not safe at all near traffic and he has a low degree of hypermobility that does reduce the distance he can walk before tiring (but it's slightly over the higher rate threshold).
I obtained an application from the County Council which states that if you don't get higher rate mobility DLA you have to have a doctors' statement to be eligible. Fine, I took the form along to DS1's next appointment and the paediatrician filled it in.
Sent it off to the council along with the required photographs and fee, only to get it back yesterday. The application has been rejected on the grounds that it hasn't been signed off by the GP. I phoned the council to query this and apparently the word of a consultant paediatrician isn't sufficient to issue a badge, it has to be the gp.
This would be the GP that deals in sniffles and basic health ailments only, not the consultant that deals with all his disabilities and therapies that are required. Whilst being a good gp for the things we do see her for she has very little idea of the specifics of his additional needs.
Fortunately the GP is happy to do this for us, she's requested the original form so she can copy what the consultant has written but blimey, the hassle! If they want the word of a GP then surely that should be stated on the form?
Apparently the fact the GP has to do it is all to do with the council paying the GP a fee for completing the form. The consultant didn't consider a fee necessary, she did it for free thus saving the council money.
But no, the above isn't good enough for the blue badge department.