Health Secretary urged to ban GP fees for domestic abuse letters

Last weekend The Guardian reported that the Secretary of State for Health has been urged to end the "callous, insensitive and unjust" practice of some GPs charging victims of domestic violence for a medical letter which they may need in order to prove their abuse.

A letter signed by 16 police and crime commissioners informs Jeremy Hunt that some GPs are charging up to £175 for a document that allows victims to access legal aid.

Under the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, applicants in private family law cases are eligible for legal aid only if they can provide evidence that they are the victims of domestic violence.

According to the Guardian report, the letter says “It should not be a privilege for victims of domestic abuse to gain legal aid. There should be no further burden on victims to chase a letter to verify their claim.”

Read the full article in the Guardian

If you are affected by domestic violence, please contact our Halifax office on 01422 339 643.

 

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