For many chronic conditions, the ‘treatment’ basically comes down to self-management. It can mean that the majority of our struggles are poorly documented. This is a problem when it comes time to apply for benefits or request adjustments at work. Healthcare also tends to break you down into specialist areas rather than taking a holistic look at the big picture.

When I write letters, the aim is to provide an overview which encompasses how much work goes into staying ‘well’. I also strive to highlight how complex the interactions between conditions can be. I’ll explain each diagnosis and the impact that condition has on key tasks. As a chronically ill/disabled OT I understand that just because you * can * do something, it doesn’t mean it’s safe or comfortable. There’s a delicate balance between maintaining difficult skills and avoiding over-exertion and this can often be hard to articulate.

What can letters be used for?

Common uses are:

• Disability applications and appeals
• Reasonable adjustments at work and in education
• Applications for charity funding
• EHCPs
• Ill health retirement tribunals
• and more.

The main limitations are around what can be included. As a telehealth practitioner, I can’t do in person assessments which can be a deal breaker for some institutions. If you’re not sure, drop me a message and we’ll discuss it.

What’s the process?

I generally don’t offer letters for clients I have not worked with at least once. So, for new clients, we start with a Freestyle Appointment to discuss your needs, challenges, and the brief for the report.

If we’ve worked together before, we can usually get a report organised via email. However it happens, the discussion will include:

• The purpose for the report
• Potential deadlines
• What key points you’d like highlighted
• Any aspects of your health you do not want included
• How I should be referring to you. I’m quite happy using any name and pronouns most of the time but reports sometimes require your legal name.

For report writing, unlike everything else I offer, I will need to see some of your medical documentation. Essentially ‘proof’ of each diagnosis you’d like me to include. I would also benefit from seeing any informative reports from other members of your healthcare team. These can be emailed over or shared via the cloud.

Alterations and edits

15 minutes of edits are included in the price for letter writing. After I’ve worked up a first draft, I’ll email you a copy for review. You can take a look, and send back a list of edits. Particularly focussing on any inaccuracies or areas where you’d like more or less detail. I reserve the right to decline edits but I will always explain why, if I’m not happy to make them.

In the future, if you need a similar report for something else, or an update on the original, we can use your first report as a starting point. It means that you’re unlikely to have to pay the full report writing fee multiple times. And, you’re guaranteed at least one piece of useful, up to date evidence for the foreseeable future. Super handy when you’ve been discharged by your specialists but still a Drs letter less than 6 months old.

Sounds good! How do we get started?

Get in touch using the details below. Letter writing is the only service I have a permanent waiting list for. I want to make sure we can agree on a plan and meet any deadlines you might have, before I commit. Please be aware that my own health and the demand for this service means that the wait can be multiple months long.