Advice on SGC renewal

[armsan612w]

Hi all, after a bit of advice here. My SGC comes up for renewal in early July and my constabulary (Cambs) is taking on the new guidelines regarding GP's providing medical statement, as a requirement. Obviously with everything going on, I started the process a couple of weeks ago. So i have to get a medical statement signed and returned by my GP before I can submit my renewal, renewal will not be accepted without one. Cambs supplied a proforma template letter and form to make the process as easy as possible. Duly printed off and walked down to the surgery in the village an put through the door.

Problem is, my surgery (not sure this is common for the rest of the UK) does not have an email address, either for the practice or individual GPs. The phoneline is just for appointments and when I rang, the menu system doesn't facilitate me speaking to someone to see if my form was received and also if the GP will actually fill it in. I understand there is no legal obligation for them to respond. But how do I get my renewal in in plenty of time, if my GP ignores the letter I posted (he may not understand the importance) I also feel a bit of an arrse kicking off about this with my practice because of the sterling work being done my the health sector currently. I've checked BASC website and they have put a recommendation to the Govt to extend licences by 6 months due to the situation but no update on if this has been agreed. Meanwhile the time before my SGC expires is ticking away.

 

[shiny_arrse]

@armsan612w.

Is your GP surgery listed on GPs - NHS Cambridgeshire And Peterborough CCG - NHS ?
If it is, there is a tab for contact details. If there is only a phone number listed (which you have already tried, I would suggest contacting the Cambridgeshire And Peterborough CCG and asking them how to get in touch with your surgery.
If it is not listed, check which Clinical Commissioning Group covers your area and search for that.

Alternatively go to The NHS website and put the surgery name in the search field top right.

I just searched for my GP surgery and then one of the Doctors from the front page of the NHS website, both searches returned the correct result.

 

[Daxx]

My force writes to your GP. If they hear nothing after 2 weeks, they assume all is ok and proceed.

 

[ugly]

It’s been hit and miss, my gp declared himself not competent to comment on mental health signed the declaration that firearms marker is on my record and returned it foc

 

[armsan612w]

@armsan612w.

Is your GP surgery listed on GPs - NHS Cambridgeshire And Peterborough CCG - NHS ?
If it is, there is a tab for contact details. If there is only a phone number listed (which you have already tried, I would suggest contacting the Cambridgeshire And Peterborough CCG and asking them how to get in touch with your surgery.
If it is not listed, check which Clinical Commissioning Group covers your area and search for that.

Alternatively go to The NHS website and put the surgery name in the search field top right.

I just searched for my GP surgery and then one of the Doctors from the front page of the NHS website, both searches returned the correct result.

Thanks, yes I tried those when they came up in a search, just names and the main phone numbers come up for my surgery. I was hoping for a email address so at least a bit more direct.

 

[armsan612w]

My force writes to your GP. If they hear nothing after 2 weeks, they assume all is ok and proceed.

Had the letter from my force yesterday, explaining what is required. My lot are insisting on a report before even considering a renewal.

 

[shiny_arrse]

Thanks, yes I tried those when they came up in a search, just names and the main phone numbers come up for my surgery. I was hoping for a email address so at least a bit more direct.

I found at least one instance where the Surgery is part of a group (as my local surgery is), with a link to the main branch website. If that doesn't help, I would suggest emailing the Clinical Commissioning Group explaining you issue and asking them to forward the email to your surgery.
I doubt that there is any NHS GP surgery in the UK that does not have a web presence and email addresses.

 

[ugly]

Deliver the form and call every 3 days to myther them

 

[PhotEx]

My GP won't play the Police silly games.

 

[Listy]

My GP won't play the Police silly games.

Ahh, so you're happy with dangerous/unsuitable types with access to deadly weapons then? A curious approach.

 

[Daxx]

Had the letter from my force yesterday, explaining what is required. My lot are insisting on a report before even considering a renewal.

I think it depends on how your local firearms licensing dept apply the legislation. I am fortunate and live in Wiltshire where they are very sensible (and helpful), and practically everyone has a shotgun

 

[armsan612w]

I found at least one instance where the Surgery is part of a group (as my local surgery is), with a link to the main branch website. If that doesn't help, I would suggest emailing the Clinical Commissioning Group explaining you issue and asking them to forward the email to your surgery.
I doubt that there is any NHS GP surgery in the UK that does not have a web presence and email addresses.

They have a web presence, just no direct or indeed practice email addresses. I thought in these times it would be a preferred form of contact for a non urgent issue. I may just post a copy of the form to each of the doctors there as I have the names of all six of them from their website.

 

[Daxx]

As a side thought, it might be worth aiming off for a late renewal and establish someone who has a SGC and cabinet, or a work armoury, where can temporarily house your gun(s).

 

[armsan612w]

I think it depends on how your local firearms licensing dept apply the legislation. I am fortunate and live in Wiltshire where they are very sensible (and helpful), and practically everyone has a shotgun

That's a sensible approach. You would think living in rural Cambridgeshire would be the same.

 

[armsan612w]

As a side thought, it might be worth aiming off for a late renewal and establish someone who has a SGC and cabinet, or a work armoury, where can temporarily house your gun(s).

Yep I've got that squared away with my Dad whose a certificate holder. I did the same for him when he moved house which involved re-licencing with another authority.

 

[theinventor]

My surgery emailed me when they got the form from the FEO along with a helpful link to pay by card. It all happened behind the scenes once I'd submitted my renewal with my GP's details.
As an aside, I was a tad surprised when a routine referral to a back specialist listed my medical history including "firearms marker".

 

[Flying Felix]

Ahh, so you're happy with dangerous/unsuitable types with access to deadly weapons then? A curious approach.

You do realise that even the most intense psychological examination is only valid for 48 hours? A statement written by a GP is worthless as soon as the ink dries.

The HO guidance is that a GP should only have to respond to the request if they have doubts about someone's suitability. If the police receive nothing, then it should not hinder the application. This guidance is being twisted by some of the police by them insisting that the GP respond, stating that they have no objections. Something the GPs are very much against for obvious reasons.
The police are making up their own laws which go against HO guidance and will not stand up in court.

 

[Flying Felix]

Hi all, after a bit of advice here. My SGC comes up for renewal in early July and my constabulary (Cambs) is taking on the new guidelines regarding GP's providing medical statement, as a requirement. Obviously with everything going on, I started the process a couple of weeks ago. So i have to get a medical statement signed and returned by my GP before I can submit my renewal, renewal will not be accepted without one. Cambs supplied a proforma template letter and form to make the process as easy as possible. Duly printed off and walked down to the surgery in the village an put through the door.

Problem is, my surgery (not sure this is common for the rest of the UK) does not have an email address, either for the practice or individual GPs. The phoneline is just for appointments and when I rang, the menu system doesn't facilitate me speaking to someone to see if my form was received and also if the GP will actually fill it in. I understand there is no legal obligation for them to respond. But how do I get my renewal in in plenty of time, if my GP ignores the letter I posted (he may not understand the importance) I also feel a bit of an arrse kicking off about this with my practice because of the sterling work being done my the health sector currently. I've checked BASC website and they have put a recommendation to the Govt to extend licences by 6 months due to the situation but no update on if this has been agreed. Meanwhile the time before my SGC expires is ticking away.

Has anyone challenged this, as far as I'm aware, it is not new guidelines, it's still misrepresenting HO guidelines.

 

[S-mise]

A slight thread drift, what do you do if you know of a FAC/SGC holder who is unfit to hold them?

I know a gent who is not managing his diabetes and is currently the most paranoid and aggressive person I’ve ever known. He’s also slipping into a trance like condition occasionally.

He won’t accept he’s ill. It’s the entire world apart from him who are ill. Sympathy and offers of help are thrown straight back at us with threats of violence etc.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Flying Felix]

A slight thread drift, what do you do if you know of a FAC/SGC holder who is unfit to hold them?

I know a gent who is not managing his diabetes and is currently the most paranoid and aggressive person I’ve ever known. He’s also slipping into a trance like condition occasionally.

He won’t accept he’s ill. It’s the entire world apart from him who are ill. Sympathy and offers of help are thrown straight back at us with threats of violence etc.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Although it sounds a bit extreme, I'd gather actual evidence and then report it to the police. You want the evidence to be as impartial as possible and have a third party present; to show that you are not some loon out to resolve some sort of personal grievance, but genuinely concerned about public safety.

The police will always confiscate firearms first and then conduct an investigation into allegations. This should not automatically result in a revocation of a FAC unless evidence of a real danger to public safety is in existence.