POSITIVE PIP GUIDANCE ON CHRONIC PAIN

[Bananas5]

This week the DWP updated their guidance to health professionals carrying out PIP assessments.

It contains a positive change for claimants who have to live with chronic pain.

Up until now, health professionals have been free to make the lazy assumption that claimants who are not prescribed strong painkillers can’t be in much pain.

So, any claims that pain limits their ability to carry out activities can be ignored.

However, the new guidance tells them that “the level of analgesia used does not necessarily correlate with the level of pain.”

The guidance points out that GPs are encouraged not to prescribe strong painkillers for long-term pain because of the harm they can do the patient.

In addition, some patients may be intolerant to analgesics or they may be using other methods of controlling pain.

Health professionals are told that instead of relying solely on the amount of medication as evidence, they should expect the claimant to be able to describe:

the location,

type,

severity and

variability

of the pain they experience and the impact it has on their daily life.

So, as always, it’s vital that you give as much detailed evidence as possible about how your condition affects you.

But, provided you do so, the result should be a better chance of getting the correct award without having to go to an appeal tribunal.

[Dizzytwo Moderator]

Thank you for the update. 🤞Those who make the assessment follow the guidelines. I was lucky that the person who did my assessment did see and listen about how my pain was effecting me even though she knew I was not able to take pain medication for many reasons.

I had a long talk with my GP a few weeks ago on the subject of pain meds fibro etc. And I found her to be honest and understanding about my pain issues has well has my other problems.

It was refreshing for me to have had a conversation with someone in the medical profession who was seen not to be brushing my concerns off.

Not everyone in pain would agree with her thoughts but personally for me it's just backed up my thoughts on pain medication. There are some good doctors out there who are prepared to listen I got lucky xx

[Badbessie]

Interesting. During my ESA assessment the nurse asked how many codeine I take during the day I told her. She said so you are alright if you take them. No I said the pain is still there but is slight!y more controlled. What about good days she said . I said how can any days that I need to take the maximum dose to try and control pain be good. Therefore I do not have "Good" days. On very bad days I take Morphine I said. Interestingly the guidelines echo exactly the words of the pain specialist that you cannot judge pain by medication.

[Bananas5 in reply to Badbessie]

So far these guidelines are only for PIP. Wrong as it should include ESA but as they are supposed to be 2 different benefits....we'll wait

x

[Badbessie in reply to Bananas5]

Yes but as both look at degrees of functionality then I hope it will not be too long until ESA guidelines are changed. I am waiting for my DLA to PIP assessment and I used the words severe, chronic, long term, immobilising when describing my pain so I hope the new guidelines will help.

[Hidden]

Hi Banana it's great to hear that news. I was originally turned down for DLA in 2013 because a nurse had stated on my form that my medication did not correspond with the level of pain I was in. It was as though she had ignored my allergies or the fact that because I have chronic renal kidney disease I could not take NSAIDS my Doctors said they alone could shorten my life. 18 months later my case was won at tribunal by Fightback4Justice. Going from DLA to PIP was awarded after home visit. Dreaded review hanging around now.. indefinite DLA should have meant that. Thanks so much for this good news xx

[Hidden]

Hi Banana, could you please tell me where you found the info on this, then I can keep it to hand, just in case

[Bemoresquirrel]

I saw it this morning as well, posted by Benefits and Work:

benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/...

[Bananas5 in reply to Bemoresquirrel]

You do have to be a member to access this infor. Worth joining

x

[Bemoresquirrel in reply to Bananas5]

The news page and their newsletter is free. 🙂 Their other info is, as you say, is by subscription.

[Mdaisy]

Great post - thanks for sharing