Vale of Glamorgan Council has agreed to carry out a wide‑ranging review of how it asks residents to provide evidence of disability, following concerns that current practices may place unnecessary financial pressure on some people.
The review, backed by councillors at a recent meeting, will look at when and why GP letters are requested, whether they are the most appropriate form of evidence, and whether alternative documentation could be accepted instead.
The decision comes after Vale Foodbank raised concerns that disabled people are often asked to pay for letters from their GP to confirm their condition, even when other official evidence already exists. GP surgeries are allowed to charge for administrative letters because they fall outside NHS‑funded work, with fees typically around £40 but sometimes exceeding £100.
Vale Foodbank says this can create difficulties for people on low incomes. A survey carried out by the charity found that 44% of respondents had been asked to pay for a GP letter in the past three years, and that most of those affected were disabled. More than half of those who paid said the cost had pushed them into debt or forced them to go without essentials.
Disability Cymru has also reported similar concerns at a national level, saying that charges for GP letters are increasingly affecting disabled people on low incomes.
Representatives of the medical profession have highlighted pressures on GP practices too. Dr Kevin Thomas, Medical Director of Bro Taf Local Medical Committee, said producing letters and subject access reports is time‑consuming and takes clinicians away from patient care. He also questioned how useful some requests are, noting that staff in public bodies are not usually clinicians and may not gain meaningful insight from medical letters.
The motion was brought forward by Councillor Belinda Loveluck‑Edwards, who said the Council has a responsibility to ensure its processes are proportionate and make use of existing evidence where possible. She argued that documents such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) awards, Blue Badge eligibility or other official assessments could be considered before requesting a GP letter.
Council Leader Lis Burnett welcomed the review, noting that GP letters often confirm a diagnosis but do not necessarily indicate what adjustments a person may need. She said that information is usually obtained through Occupational Health assessments instead.
Councillors from across the political spectrum spoke in favour of examining the issue, with only one councillor voting against the motion.
The review will now be carried out across Council departments, looking at every situation where disability evidence is requested. Officers will assess why the evidence is needed, whether the process can be simplified and what alternative forms of verification could be used. Recommendations will be presented to councillors at a later date.
Vale Foodbank described the decision as an important step and hopes the review will lead to changes that reduce costs for vulnerable residents while easing administrative pressures on GP practices. Campaigners believe any reforms could also encourage other public bodies to reconsider their own procedures.
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