Doctors letters

[snookienoo]

However you only have to watch a few reality tv programmes to see some parents are not responsible at all!

[sophiesocks]

thank you for all your input hi snookienoo, i have got a standard letter for the doctor to sign but i really like the idea of having them all on one letter, but i cant help but think they would still charge for each of them and claim it was the same amount of work oh well, i dont have to worry about it for another 6 months, but i may ask around and find out how much other surgeries charge so i can tell them they are overcharging and make a complaint to the practice manager, thanks again everyone

[Irishdancer]

My doctors charges £35 dose not matter if I give in a letter where doctor only has to sign even if I go to see doctor and get him to sign it still £35 pounds although 3 times have just got letters and ds has got some thing big and has had 2 times to go to Harley Street and have a full medical done company's have paid for that 1 time older ds was doing a McDondals advert when we had wardrobe call they got a doctor to come along and do a doctors letter for all the kids even though some of us already had a letter company paid for that as well. Know that SY have a doctor who comes in and dose doctors letters for there children which is much cheaper or if u have a friend or relative who is a doctor can get one from them dose not have to be your own doctor.

[pg]

However you only have to watch a few reality tv programmes to see some parents are not responsible at all!

That's true snookienoo, but if someone wants to push their child and discount their health they just go through the same process as a parent who will put their children's health and well-being first - I don't see that the current system prevents the pushy parents from pushing. There are pushy parents in other areas who don't need doctor's notes. A Doctor's note (as some of the examples have shown) doesn't really mean all that much about a child's health at the time the child is doing the actual work. I can't see that it's a great safeguard to be honest, and I do think it's more about production companies wanting to be able to tick an insurance box rather than any particular concern for a child's welfare. (As an adult, I have to make my own declaration of fitness most of the time for insurance purposes). I'd love to know whether anyone has ever been unable to get a Doctor's note for licensing purposes: what would need to be wrong with the child for a doctor to refuse to sign it? It's clear that the Doctor doesn't check whether the child is getting enough sleep and I don't think deciding whether or not the parent is pushy is within the Doctor's remit either...

I don't think the current licensing process is fit for purpose - especially since it is interpreted so differently depending upon which LEA you are dealing with. Sometimes it even depends which person you speak to within the same office. There are all sorts of anomalies. It is/was designed to stop children being exploited, and of course I'm all for that, but it's often ignored - either deliberately or through ignorance. It also makes the performing arts a special case it seems to me (unnecessarily in my view). If a child takes part in various plays thoughout the year, out of school time, then they are likely to need a licence (strictly speaking) - even it's just a hobby/amateur society and they don't get paid. I don't see why children need more protection taking part in this hobby than in any other. You don't need a performance licence to be part of an amateur sports society (if you are not being paid), even though people are likely to come and watch you play. And why on earth should singing in a choir or playing in an orchestra be different from performing in a play? You don't need a licence for this. I quote from Cheshire East's website : Singing in a choir or playing in an orchestra is not performing and therefore does not come within the legislation.

It's just wrong I think. It's better than having nothing to protect children, but I think it needs a radical re-think.
Doing rather a lot of "thinking" in this post...

...makes a change

[Hecouldshine]

I refused to sign one last year pg. They had to wait for a paediatric consultant to see the child before i would sign!

Have posted my own thoughts on here before so will just put the link rather than bore people who have read it http://www.notapushymum.com/phpbb/viewt ... or#p149286

[Flosmom]

Does anyone have a standard letter that you get your Doctor to sign that you'd be prepared to PM to me, please? (or post on here if that's easier!)

Flo has just got her first casting in a promo film and, although our LEA doesn't require medical certificates for theatre, it requires them for film. I don't understand why they think a film is more medically onerous than a stage production, but them's the rules and we gotta stick to them!

I have an appointment with the GP tomorrow afternoon, so if you've got anything to share to save me racking my poor tired brains, I'd be very very grateful.

Deb x

[missmoneypenny]

I do Flosmum - if you pm me your email I will get it to you

[Flosmom]

I do Flosmum - if you pm me your email I will get it to you

Thanks for sending it through to me - that's really helpful. I'm always so very impressed with the knowledge and experience of everyone on this site and incredibly grateful that you are also generous enough to share it with newbies like me.

Deb x

[linda griffiths]

Our agent does a standard letter which says [b]name of kid[/b] is fit and healthy to rehearse and perform in theatre tv film etc, and there is a section for the doctor to just sign and date most of our local doctors will just sign if it left at reception but some do it as an appointment but so far no one has paid, and our LEA officer thinks its a great idea.

[Flosmom]

Yesterday's trip to the GP was an eye opener. When I spoke to the receptionist on Thursday and explained what we needed she told me she had never heard of licenses for children in entertainment and booked appointments for my girls to see the GP (Flo's little sister was offered a role too!)

So I printed out two copies of missmoneypenny's letter, filled them in and took them along.

The GP had also not heard of licenses. I wasn't surprised as he looked about 14 to me. He noted that there are medico-legal implications to signing the form (so he must have studied that at doctor school) and told me to come back on Monday when he will have discussed it with the senior partner.

Before I left he told me that the charge would be £10 per license. He didn't examine the girls but noted from their records that they are both in ragingly good health.

So I wonder whether I'll get the letters signed on Monday?

Has anyone else ever come across an absence of knowledge of licensing on the part of GPs? Or do we happen to be registered with a practice where talented kids don't go?

Fascinating, isn't it?

Deb x

[barney]

Hi Flosmom, yes iv come across this, once one of our gps said he doesnt do these!!! iv just put one in on Friday for ds so will see what happens this time , Charge ect

[Flosmom]

I went to the GPs again today. The certificates were sitting in an envelope just waiting for me to part with my £20, all signed and lovely.

Thanks to everyone for your advice and support, you are great!

And can I just put a shout out to Jane Bazeley at Warwickshire County Council. She looks after the children in entertainment licenses and is one of the most polite, calm and professional people I have ever had the pleasure to come into contact with. She answered all my questions, was unfazed by my need for a less than 21 day turnaround and even wished my girls lots of luck with their performance. Isn't it lovely to find someone like Jane at the end of the phone?

Deb x

[barney]

I collected Drs note yesterday asnd yes... they charged £10

[pinky3]

I have recently changed Doctor and in their website it says "Fitness to Exercise Certificate/Performance Certificate: £50-£75. My DDs agency want me to have a valid letter at all times - yeah right! I was just wondering whether this might be some other kind of certificate but I can't think what. My old Doctor used to sign the form and then pat my DD on the head and say get Mummy to buy you some sweeties with the money!

[francescasmum]

I'd go back to the old drs!