DLA Doctor visit.......what should I expect?

Hi All

Just looking for some advice really. I have received a letter today telling me that a doctor will visit next Thursday. I have applied for DLA as I suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis and am currently off work (have been since beginning of November)

Can anyone tell me what I should expect from this visit?

Thanks
Linz xoxox
Its hard to wait around for that something you know may never happen,but its harder to give up when you know its everything you ever wanted.........


People tell me Im going the wrong way..............when its simply a way of my own!
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Comments

  • Dee53
    Dee53 Posts: 13 Forumite
    Hi Linz,

    I will give you a clue.....you have to be on your deathbed. good luck for thursday xx
  • LoopyLinz
    LoopyLinz Posts: 469 Forumite
    Lol :beer: Dee..........you have made feel so much better! lol
    Its hard to wait around for that something you know may never happen,but its harder to give up when you know its everything you ever wanted.........


    People tell me Im going the wrong way..............when its simply a way of my own!
  • mumoftwins
    mumoftwins Posts: 2,498 Forumite
    DLA Tip 6. Dealing with ‘detective’ doctors‏
    From: <img id="P___669604149" style="display: none;" webimdisplaystyle="inline"> Benefits and Work (tech@benefitsandwork.co.uk)






    Dear *****,

    Imagine it.

    You’ve made a claim for DLA and a doctor has come to do a
    medical. Halfway through he says ‘I just need to have a quick look
    around to see what aids or adaptations you might need’ and
    disappears up the stairs.

    What is he really doing?

    In fact, the doctor is doing two things.

    The first is answering a question in the medical report which asks the
    doctor to ‘Describe any features of the current accommodation that
    cause increased problems for the customer e.g. upstairs toilet, steep
    steps.’

    The second is, in accordance with his training, checking to see if you
    are ‘genuinely living the life of a disabled person’.

    He will be hunting for: things which he considers do – or don’t - fit
    in with your claimed level of disability, which he can include as
    evidence in his report. Unfortunately, this seems to turn some doctors
    into amateur detectives: they discover ‘clues’ which they consider
    significant and write them up in their report without giving you the
    opportunity to give any evidence about them first..

    For example, do you have an inhaler on a high shelf and covered in dust,
    looking as if it hasn’t been used, rather than in easy reach of where
    you’re sitting?

    Does the walking stick in the hall have an unmarked and unworn
    rubber ferrule on the bottom?

    Of course, there may be very good explanations for these things: the
    inhaler is a spare one, you keep the one you use in your pocket at all
    times and the rubber on your walking stick is new because the old one
    wore out.

    However, the amateur detective doctor may write these things in their report
    without ever asking you about them and the decision maker will accept his
    evidence without question. Both of these incorrect assumptions have led to
    Benefits and Work members having their claims turned down, requiring them
    to go to tribunal before they were awarded the benefits to which they were
    entitled.

    So, one thing you can do to prepare for a doctor’s visit is take a look
    around and put right anything that might be misinterpreted. For
    example, remove the dusty inhaler, or put it where you can reach it.

    Another thing you can do is explain to the doctor, before he even
    notices, the reason for the new rubber on your walking stick.

    If the doctor does say they wish to look round your home, it’s worth
    asking them what they are looking for and requesting that they tell
    you about anything they see which they consider significant.

    You could, of course, refuse them permission to look around your
    house. But the doctor will make a note of this and adverse
    conclusions may be drawn by a decision maker or tribunal as a result.

    So, being prepared is probably the best strategy.

    Our guides tell you in detail what happens at a medical and what
    questions you may be asked. We also provide you with a copy of the
    medical report form that will be used by the doctor. In addition, we tell
    you how to prevent the DWP giving you unfairly short notice of a visit
    and how to deal with doctors who turn up early or late.

    We also provide you with a Medical Visit Record Sheet so that you
    have persuasive evidence if you wish to complain about, or challenge
    the result of, your medical.

    Don't get caught out by unfair tactics. Make sure you’re prepared
    for a doctor’s visit. Find out more about becoming a Benefits and
    Work member and getting instant access to all our step-by-step DLA
    guides and other materials from:

    http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/content/view/881/122/

    Tomorrow, we’ll look at three ways to improve your chances at a
    tribunal.

    Good luck,
    Christians Against Poverty - www.capuk.org
  • lolababy
    lolababy Posts: 723 Forumite
    Hi we have had two doctors visit for dla purposes and on both occasions they did not have a look around our home. Maybe they were not nosy enough, lol .
  • Mojisola
    Mojisola Posts: 35,551
    Name Dropper First Post First Anniversary
    Forumite
    Have someone else with you, if possible, for moral support and as a help if you find out that the doctor has written something you don't think happened.

    Don't make a special effort to sit up and concentrate while he's there if that isn't what you can do usually. If you normally have to have your feet up, or lie down after a while, then do that.

    If he wants to have a chat about things before official questions get going, he's not being social. Everything you talk about will be used as evidence.
  • Sorry Mum of Twins but that is unneccessary scare mongering.

    I have been on the receiving end of a DLA medical, and at no point did anyone poke around in my home to see if they could find any 'clues' that I might be lying.

    What they did was fill out another DLA form by asking me the questions on it and writing in my answers. I was then asked to go outside and walk as far as I could before the pain kicked in. I was then asked to go up to the bedroom where she gave me a brief physical examination. No-one attempted to go in any other room or so much as have a look in any other room.

    Loopylinz, if you have RA then they're going to be looking at how far advanced the condition is. Do not, ever, just give straight yes or no answers to the questions. Always qualify - yes, but not without difficulty/pain, etc. Try to explain how you go about certain tasks, and do be sure that the doc doesn't paraphrase what you say.

    The doc should read your answers back to you - if you don't agree with what has been written, ask them to amend them. Don't sign the form until you are happy with what is written.

    Good luck.
    s/e
  • black_paw
    black_paw Posts: 1,791
    Name Dropper Photogenic First Post First Anniversary
    Forumite
    doctor poked around my house ! asked about aids i had to help me, then looked for them in the rooms ! wanted to do a medical there and then aswell , i stood up put legs together and fell over ( i knew that would happen ) but he wanted to see ! said ooo your got very bad balance and helped me to chair and then gave up and said would see him self out ! did'nt sign anything either , just be honest they check what you have written on the form . i was scared to death before, but he was nice to talk to and put me at ease
    the truth is out there ... on these pages !!
    <3
  • when I had my DLA medical he didn't look around my house; promise

    I would have someone close to you there; ALL the way through; don't let the Dr do anything to you alone; then get the person with you primed to correct you when you do what most long term disabled do and underplay

    If you are really frightened get your other person to take notes, if the Dr hasn't questioned you on a symptom/problem that you put on your form; remind him of it; and finally; if the Dr asks you to sign anything; READ IT, or get the person with you too
  • black_paw
    black_paw Posts: 1,791
    Name Dropper Photogenic First Post First Anniversary
    Forumite
    how did you get on ?
    the truth is out there ... on these pages !!
    <3
  • Jamla wrote: »
    how did you get on ?


    It was just over 7 yrs ago;

    I got it indefinitely; hasn't been reviewed *fingers crossed* (higher rate mobility)

    if the two lots speak as I've just been awarded IB50 for 5 yrs, it isn't likely too be :D too soon
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