IB medical advice

gomer

yorkiegal wrote: »

no it's not rubbish. you are also seen as ok if you managed to get to the appointment on your own, or if you answered the phone when they called to book the appointment with you. Added to that the fact that a lot of these medicals are now outsourced to companies who receive bonuses for declaring people fit to work, and it's hardly a level playing field is it? My friend in group therapy had to go to tribunal when they took her IB away, despite the fact that she was in full time group therapy and on very strong meds. They made a lot of the fact that she looked well and had manicured nails, when she had said on the form and at the medical that she found it really hard to motivate herself to get dressed or take care of her appearance. She hadn't lied to them. She simply would have felt too ashamed to turn up there looking grubby.

I managed to get to my medical alone with a physical disability & also managed to answer the phone when they booked the apponitment & i certainly was not seen as 'ok'. I don't know where on earth you get your information from but just because you personally believe that to be the case does not make it factual.

They do not mark you down if you attend a medical alone or if you answer the phone when they call to book your medical. The info you are giving is wrong, misleading & based on hearsay 'what other people have told me', rather than fact. How many of those people were employees of the DWP who carry out the medicals?

The examination does not begin until you are in the examination room with the Dr, telephone calls made weeks beforehand have nothing whatsoever to do with the medical examination & are not used to determine wether you are seen as 'ok'. I dread to think what would happen if one of your friends told you she saw fairy's at the bottom of your garden. :rolleyes:

Don't take my word for this - ask them at your next medical. Are you suggesting we should all just not bother answering the phone to make sure we pass the medical? :rotfl:

tom9980

yorkiegal wrote: »

Added to that the fact that a lot of these medicals are now outsourced to companies who receive bonuses for declaring people fit to work, and it's hardly a level playing field is it?

No this is wrong its a myth.

What really happens is if they kick people off benefits who then get reinstated at a tribunal and they do it too many times they get a fine so lose money. This leads to them sacking doctors who do this too often because they lose them money.

The new rules are a concern and the so called medical is a bit of a joke when its mostly computer generated questions which may or may not relate to someone illness/condition or they dont know how to answer correctly, or worse the doctor has no knowledge of a particular condition.

jimjams_mommy

Had a week of sleepless nights, got stressed and down. needed extra visit from my cpn with worrying about the interview.
well went to my interview, but after 15min in the waiting room was told as they didn't have my file (" its not lost, we just don't have it here") I was sent home.

I was told they will rearrange my appointment, but I am to call them to check that they have my paperwork before I come to the next appointment.

I nearly cried all the way home.
My cpn said that I could ask for a home visit but she is not sure as she don't know about benefits and stuff. Could I ask for a home visit?

jules_2

Yes you can ask for a home visit. I had one last year and mine is due anytime now so I will ask for one again.
You have say to them when they phone that you feel unable to go to the medical and can you have a home one - they will probably say they need medical conformation - I just sent a note to my GP who did it for me.
Good luck with it - and feel free to PM me - I know how horrible and stressful this can be - big hug xx

jimjams_mommy

thanks jules. i think I will wait till they contact me before I ask for a home visit can't face it at the moment.

seven-day-weekend

jimjams_mommy wrote: »

Thank you for the advice from the posts, I just didn't know what to expect and yes I do have a couple of days when I wear the same clothes, when its an effort to dress and don't brush my teeth. I would have made an effort to to say all is ok and look smart when its not because I would have been embarassed.
happy new year

Do NOT say you are OK when you are not, otherwise why would they give you IB if everything is OK?

Just tell them the truth, about your good days and bad days and what you can and can't do. If you can only do things sometimes, tell them how often.

It doesn't matter what you wear, go in whatever is comfortable, whether that is smart or otherwise.

Good luck!

linni

Firstly, I want to say I am so sorry about the baby and dont feel embarrassed about wanting to cry. Just get the medical over with, and as others have already said, tell the truth. Worrying about it will make you feel worse. I had an awful examiner (didn't speak a word apart from just firing questions at me) and I felt terrible for ages afterwards but it needs to be done. Have you got someone who can be with you? Best wishes.

jimjams_mommy

my DH is took me ( he had a half day of work, being self-employed was without pay ) I

jimjams_mommy

my DH took me ( he had a half day of work, being self-employed was without pay ) I had to take my ds with me who is 2 as I had no one to look after him or I would have had to got a train and a bus to the interview if DH had him.

I have only told one friend about appying for IB as I feel embarrassed, a few of my friends know how bad things are as they have helped me on my bad days
( poping in and making sure I make it to a toddler group etc )
Just want to get back to normal, but know I'm not well and that it may take time.

jimjams_mommy

I got a letter today saying my interview is on friday (week today) should I ask for a home visit? or just brave it out and go? its a 9.ooam think I will struggle to get there with the train and bus. Not sure if DH can have another day of work.

Any advice?