I didn't have much of a physical examination for my PIP assessment last year. The assessor asked me to do some kind of hand grip, my friend who was with me suddenly half screamed and the assesor stopped. I was confused, but it turned out that my friend had told her she was going to hurt me. True, but I was trying to be a good girl. Then I was asked to do something with my legs and I simply apologised because it would hurt too much. That was all.
Please keep a note of your assessor being unprepared, That's so unprofessional that you have good grounds to appeal if you are turned down.
Hi. I couldn't believe she didn't even ask. I did record the interview covertly as my memory is really bad and despite my son being there I wanted a reminder of our conversation . There has just been a case cited at Appeal where someone produced covert recording and judge upheld it so worth it I think. Anyhow will have to wait and see I guess but thanks for replying.
There has been a case cited with a covertly recorded interview, the gentleman has MS, just be careful, even though it was excepted this time, it may well be disregarded due to it being against the rules of recordings which are not arranged before hand. There are loop holes which can potentially be used against those that do this. Some tribunals may disregard it. The gentleman in question could still face some repercussions. Having said that, take some advice from CAB over it, should it come to that. Ask for your report in a couple of weeks time, if it doesn't tally with what was said at interview, approach someone who can advise you on the usage of the recording, the DWP will certainly be on the case now & put in place provisos. They will endeavour not to be caught out again. Hopefully it won't come to the need for it.
I agree it is still not tested so I wouldn't submit it anyhow without further advice. I am hoping it won't come to that and I will ofcourse post on this forum my outcome. Off to bed as today has wore me
Good luck blue eyes, mine didn't do a physical exam either, she could see it wasn't possible. Try not to worry, the DWP are buggers, they will be on it now. Bit of a debate going on about it. Let me know how you go xx
When my assessor came to my house, she was very nice and noticed how bad my hands were just by noticed them when I was describing something, waving my arms. There was no actual physical examination.
She seemed very helpful, although the bad point was she should have had my details that I had filled in and my letter from my rheumatologist with all the prescription details and medical information copies had been sent in the post. After she had gone I noticed that the documents had been taken by her, so all my information had disappeared. I was very foolish to have given her the letters etc. thought I was being helpful.
I rang DWP several times, but they didn’t seem to know who had assessed me, it took several weeks trying to get the documents back I got fed up. Eventually DWP said they have contacted her and she didn’t have the information and hadn’t taken them. I expect the docs are sitting in someone else’s file, cos she dropped lots of papers on the floor while she was with me.
I am amazed at the number of professional people that are so disorganised, it is also worrying that these people travel around with confidential information in the back of their cars. It was a big eye opener for me.
As for the recording good for you to have, but do not let officials know you have it, try and transcribe the details onto a notepad. Only yesterday I heard about someone recording a conversation and it was going to cause serious problems.
I wouldn’t worry - if my medical examination was anything to go by they then report results that were nothing like what happened anyway lol.
With the recording I thought the appeal that went through recently was that the judge allowed the transcript of it but not the recording itself. If you have problems I’d type it out roughly and tell them it was the notes made by your friend who was there acting as a witness if it was me 😉
best of luck with it .. I’m just about to have my second appeal hearing next week after they messed up my first one and have been dealing with this for over a year now so I’m a bit cynical by this stage I’m afraid. I have a very specific legal point relating to my ability to walk outside though which I’m told could have to be referred to a higher tribunal as it is likely to set a precedent though so it’s proving a bit of a battle.
What I would say is ring them now and ask for a copy of the assessors report when it comes in irrespective of the outcome as it saves time later if you need to go through mandatory reconsideration. And if you don’t get the result you should then get help immediately with sending the mandatory reconsideration in Etc as it may save time later - your council may have a welfare officer who can do this with you or the CAB will help. In my case I was too complex for the CAB so they put me on to a specialised charity who have been invaluable.
Hopefully you won’t have to go through all that though and you had a reasonable assessor - there are good ones out there honestly
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.