The Barcellos Family Practice does not provide general letters of support directly to patients for housing, benefits, passes, or adjustments.

Applying for Council Housing on Health Grounds

If you are applying for council or housing association housing due to medical conditions, please follow this process:

• Step 1: Complete Your Self-Assessment

Fill out the housing department’s application form yourself, describing how your health conditions affect your daily living and housing needs. You do not need a GP letter to submit this application.

• Step 2: Direct Contact from the Housing Department

If the housing department or council medical officer needs further medical evidence, they will contact our practice directly using a standard medical form.

• Step 3: Formal Consent

The council will require your written consent before we can release any medical information to them.

Important Notes on Medical Reports & Records

• Factual Reports Only: When contacted formally by a third party (such as the council), our clinicians can only provide objective, factual medical information (such as confirmed diagnoses, severity, and current medication) rather than personal opinions.
• Incorrect Advice Letter: If an organisation insists that you obtain a GP letter yourself, please speak to reception. We can provide a standard template letter explaining the official local authority protocol.
• Access to Medical Records: You always have the right to request a copy of your own medical records to support your application independently.

We understand that patients are often wrongly advised to get a letter from their GP and we can supply you with a letter outlining the above that you can show to anyone wrongly directing you to us for such documentation.

Additional resources

Please visit the Community SWITCH programme of resources where you may find other resources to assist and support you.

• Website: https://communityswitch.org/i-need-support-to-live-my-life/

Download and view a copy of this policy here [PDF]