Some of you who are treated by the HIV clinics of the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital may have received a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Saying that they have been unable to obtain a medical report following your submission of your DBD551 form several months ago and now require that you complete a DLA556 form.

I have seen a copy of such a letter and have been busy raising the issues with the HIV Directorate and the Terrence Higgins Trust.

The Chelsea and Westminster has been in regular contact with the DWP over the completion of medical report requests and people should not be getting such letters.

There are many issues with this approach from the DWP.  However the feedback I have from Senior Members of the Directorate is that they will be back in touch with the DWP as they are concerned about patients getting these letters. They have also put in place a plan to deal with reports. 

I will be feeding back to THT also who will raise this with the Disability Carers Advisory Forum as there are issues of "due process" here.

If I get more information I will of course post here. If you have received a letter please speak to your consultant.