Over the years I have found that the best way to ask a health professional for a supporting letter is to focus on effects, rather than diagnosis.
We pick the claimant’s three most-debilitating symptoms and ask the doctor to comment on those.
This means that we can keep our request short and snappy, while telling the doctor exactly what we need them to write about.
Here is an example:
Dear Dr Aardvaark,
Re: Anna Zebra. DOB: 31 June 1988
As you know, Anna has Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis that was diagnosed in 2019.
She has recently claimed Personal Independence Payment from the Department for Work and Pensions.
We have told the DWP that:
- Her poor grip makes it difficult, painful and slow for her to cook a simple meal, to eat, to manage her medication, and to wash and dress herself.
- Her poor balance and frequent bouts of dizziness cause problems with cooking, and with getting on and off the toilet; and also make all walking very slow.
- Her anxiety and depression get in the way of caring for herself, and of interacting with other people.
We would be grateful if you would write a letter in support of her claim, commenting on these symptoms, and hopefully confirming that what we have told the DWP is consistent with her condition as you understand it.
Yours