Student Finance Medical Declaration Form

Due to health conditions, I am unable to attend a bricks and mortar university. My private psychiatrist, who is registered with the GMC has completed the Medical Declaration Form for me. However, student finance have rejected this as my doctor's email address is not an NHS/HSCNI domain. However, they have accepted previous evidence from the same doctor to support applications for DSA.
I have complained about this with SFE as this discriminates against students who are unable to access NHS services due to long waiting times. It also totally contradicts publicly available information published by SFE Legal Department on 31 January 2025 that states:
"Having checked with the relevant area within SLC, we can confirm that, no the GMC registered medical professional does not have to have an NHS e-mail address as this would exclude private GPs as you have highlighted. The key point is that the medical professional is GMC registered...
We can confirm that the medical declaration form will require to be updated and this is currently being actioned."
The full thread of this can be found here: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/dlml_medical_declaration_form_cl
Does anyone else have any experience with this? Is there a SFE representative who can advise further?

Hi Katie,
The evidence requirements for the part-time Maintenance Loan can be different for DSA in some cases, like the need for a NHS/HSCNI domain name.
That's a requirement for getting the Maintenance Loan, unfortunately, so it sounds correct that we've not accepted this.
It may be an option to ask if your GP could complete this form instead, we'd suggest checking with them at least.
Thanks, Graeme

Hi Graeme
Thank you for your reply, however the whole thread here: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/dlml_medical_declaration_form_cl is basically the same circumstances as myself regarding not being able to study in person. Although I will be attending OU I will be studying full time (120 credits). The response very clearly says that it does not need to be an NHS email address - the professional completing the form just needs to be GMC registered. One of my peers is in the exact same position - going to be studying the exact same course with OU and has a Medical Declaration form from the same private clinic as I attend. Their form was accepted with no question, granting them 100% maintenance loan. I do not understand why I am being treated differently?

Hi Jason so, as stated by Louise Chapman, Legal Support Services Manager is this what the assessors need:
"Having checked with the relevant area within SLC, we can confirm that, no the GMC registered medical professional does not have to have an NHS e-mail address as this would exclude private GPs as you have highlighted. The key point is that the medical professional is GMC registered.
Thank you for highlighting this. We can confirm that the medical declaration form will require to be updated and this is currently being actioned."
This is publicly stated https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/dlml_medical_declaration_form_cl#incoming-2902522 on 31 January 2025.

Hi katiekate13,
Is the email address on the form their work or personal email address?
Thanks, Clare

Hi
It is their work email address linked to their private practice.