Patients who have a mental health condition may ask you to complete a DMHEF (debt and mental health evidence form), which will act as evidence and support them in seeking help with paying back debt.
A new agreement
A cross sector agreement has introduced:
- GPs in England can no longer charge a fee for completing the DMHEF
- an easier process
- shorter form
- a wider range of health care professionals can complete the form.
These factors are intended to reduce the burden on GPs.
Who can complete the form?
A much shorter and simpler form has been introduced that can be completed by the following wider range of healthcare professionals:
- social worker
- mental health nurse
- psychiatrist
- psychologist
- general practitioner
- occupational therapist
- mental health therapist.
- all forms and accompanying guidance are available on the Money Advice Trust website.
Completing the form
The front side of the new DMHEF simply asks for the professional to confirm the patient has a mental health condition and to give the name of the condition.
You can also complete the back of the form, but there is no contractual obligation to do this.
The DMHEF is accompanied by a consent form. Professionals should not complete the DMHEF without seeing a consent form from the patient.
There may be times when a more complex health report is required by a bank or other lender. In those rare circumstances, reports should be sought directly from the practice by a lender and the lender would pay a fee, not the patient.