DLA Medical Examinations

[Hele]

Hi Hannah and Sarah,
Thanks I really appreciate your support.
Last night I had a good cry and chat with my husband ( who at the moment is adamant that he will never allow me to go through that again), decided the best thing to do was too write all the points down while they were still fresh in my mind.
There are 10 points.
I rang a local disability advice group I found in phone book, and they said that this is all too common, they got me the phone number of the DWP complaints department because some of the points clearly break the rules he is supposed to abide by, ie commenting on the fatigue, querying why I am on codeine and paracetamol not co codamol, and telling me that if there was anything wrong with me it would have showed on the xrays.
They are sending me the forms to put in a complaint ( so scary).
Have also made an appointment with one of the GP's in my practice who specialises in joint conditions and knows HMS to show him the points I have written before I fill in the form.
Never again will I go into one of these things alone, I so wish I had taken my husband in with me but stupidly I didnt want him to hear just how 'down' this has made me feel, especially the recent developement that I have had to buy a stick for occasional use.
Once again thanks for your messages, it is so lovely to know I am not alone
Helen

[Retro]

Hi Hele,

I made a complaint against the Doctor that examined me for DLA. I too was a bit worried about it but you are doing the right thing. As you are making the complaint now then it shouldn't hold up your claim too long (the DWP normally put it on hold while the investigation is ongoing). Anyway, you will probably be asked to attend an interview with 2 investigating officers, they will go thru what happened on the day and will also interview the doctor. Then their report goes to some high-up-heed-yin then you get a decision. I found that even tho' I did have a witness with me they didn't take her statement into account because she was my friend so therefore biased

The outcome of my complaint was that the doctor would be monitored and have some discussion/retraining with his manager, so not earth shattering but at least it's on record and the more people who complain the better because it builds a good picture for Atos Origin about their doctors, especially if they keep getting similar complaints about the same doctors.

If you have any questions either ask here or by PM. I would strongly advise anyone who has any problem with their medical to complain.

Take care,

Lindsey

[Hele]

Hi thanks again for all your support. I seem to be having a black cloud moment at the mo ( see my thread about Reynalulds on the related conditions), but it is great to have you all here. Am waiting for the forms to complain about my app and will let you know how i get on.

[KiraEswen]

(((Hele)))

unbelievable! What a horrendous "doctor" Their own guide books says HMS is a disabling condition!

This just reminds me to take all my papers and the HMS book with me for non HMS hospital visits and all DWP interactions. I have a DLA appeal coming up.

You're not worthless, he is an arrogant idiot and needs complaining about. Tempting to bring ones own recording device into these assessments sometimes!

Kira xxx

[justme]

the arrogant and not listening DWP doctor.....very common species!

Anyway if you get turned down you do have the right of appeal, still not good enough though!

I have posted before regarding this but can't be bothered to find it . A DWP doctor told me many years ago, he was leaving the service as he could take the instructions to turn down any more. Any way he told me the doctors get paid per medical and extra if they get a claimant turned down. Back then he told me it was £50 per person and £75 if they got turned down due to his medical. This was something he was not happy or comfortable with, hence the reason why he resigned.

Always best to have a witness at these medicals I have found, one who preferably will take notes. You need to inform the doctor you will doing this and the reason why (most good ones will understand), recorders will not be allowed unfortunately.

If you have the backing of your GP you are half way there to winning any appeal required. On my one and only appeal panel for incapacity I had a doctor that knew about HMS and basically stuck up for me and told me my problems! yes I won it!

My saying after my medical...can you touch your toes? Yes thanks, I have HMS , but I can't always get up again!

[Hele]

Hi everyone,

Got my form to complain today, funnily enough they have only given a very small space to write complaint in, think i will soon fill that up!!!!
The GP I have an app with next week is really switched on re HMS and also gives evidence at industrial tribunials!!! so think he may be a great help with ' how to word complaint.
Its interesting to hear how the system works. While i was waiting to go in the chap before me was really negative towards the 'friendly lady doc' that called him in and we were quite shocked, ob now i realise why, he had been there before!!!

Hele x

[Retro]

Hi Hele,

I did mine by email and attached a statement from my witness.

Lindsey

[Kel]

What a 'mare for you Hele.

If it's any consolation, one of my ex-b/fs worked in the benefit system and he said that this type of assessment is not only designed to prevent you from qualifying for any support, but also to demoralise you to the point where you won't complain or appeal. That you're putting in a complaint at all, is one in their eye.

It seems that most perfectly reasonable claims are rejected first time round and that appeal is standard practice.

Not the same situation, but as an illustration, my great aunt couldn't dress herself and had to go to two appeals before she was grudgingly granted home help. The Powers That Be said her 70 year old sister should be making a 60 mile round trip to help her dress and undress, twice a day. Common sense and compassion just doesn't enter into it.

Give 'em heck! The System certainly deserves a big headache. In the seat of the pants...

[Hele]

Hi Everyone and Happy New Year.
I finally got the result of my DWP assesment this morning and guess what?, They turned me down after all this time. I have been waiting and waiting for this letter and knew that it would sooooo upset me when it came, been feeling worried about going back to isolation when my husband goes back to work on monday after having company over christmas so the timing stunk. As predictcted i spent a good hour crying. It is the frustration that noone seems to understand our pain and problems, when you feel someone somewhere should be patting you on the back telling you how well you are doing to cope with such pain and hassle they actually kick you in the teeth and make you feel such a fool.
To make things worse the assesor didn't give me any points at all for pain ( despite me sitting there in agony rubbing my legs for the whole interview ) and only gave me points for the problems i have had with depression that i asked him not to record!!!!.
So another battle to fight, am so tired of fighting. But hey ho here i go, appeal form printed!!!
Hele

[hannah]

hele, I'm sorry you are having to go through this, but well done for going for an appeal. I really hope it turns out well, and if you need someone to real through stuff or anything just PM me.

Hannah

[sarahh]

Hi Hele I am so sorry hun that you are having to go through this. hey don't make things easy for us do they. Well done for appealing I will keep my fingers crossed for you aswell.

Sarah x

[Hele]

Thankyou both for your replies, it is soooo good to have your support. Thankgoodness we at least know what we are going through.
Have just cheered myself up by buying myself a Hello Kitty Alarm clock!!!! Then felt guilty spending a huge sum of £4.78 on mysef when I am not bringing in any money into the family. How mad is that.
love Hele

[nat05]

Im so sorry Hele You def need to appeal. The process has changed since i did mine in april but my dr wrote to them on my behalf and filled in her form with the same info as mine. Maybe you could send in additional info from the main site to help your case.

My friend has been rejected and we went through the paperwork together. At each point they can give it to you i made her tell me and write down why she disagreed with it. Evidence may help such as a reason for not being able to do something or a clear outline of limitations etc.

I hope you get it sorted hun, its so unfair and i know what you mean about isolation. Im often alone at home adn its not much fun, plus pacing is much harder to stick to.
Take care and PM if you want.
xx

[sidsaracer]

I have recieved my letter today saying that i will be having a Home Visit in two weeks time, after reading the above posts im really nervous. As its a home visit my partner will be there and my mum will too as she helps me with most of my needs. Im going to give CAB a ring in the morning to see if my caseworker can be there but i won't hold my breath on that as its a Saturday visit.

Fingers crossed i get a nice doctor who knows all about HMS and gives me a report that will get me the award. ( I couldn't find a smiley that is rolling around the floor laughing so a praying one will have to do.)

[Rosie]

Hi sidsaracer

It may be worth printing out some of the info on the main site here to hand to the visiting Dr.



Rosie