i got phone call 6.30 this evening i have to attend a dhss medical

croboy

Hi,

Im a bit of an expert on these PCA medicals as i had an awful lot of difficulties with mine and ended up winning compensation from Medical Services due to their neglect. I have a specialist neurological condition coupled with anxiety and depression (like yourself) and my initial assessment was basically a joke whereby the doctor pretty much made up what was said and i ended up without benefits for 6 months.

My appeal hearing lasted extactly 7 seconds and the panel passed me and backdated all benefits. I got my MP involved and we ripped into Medical Services who ended up paying me off (it wasnt a lot but it was the principle).

You have had a lot of advice on this thread but pay most attention to the guy from newcastle with the descriptors post off the newcastle councils website. These medicals are a bit like a sick gameshow where you are allocated points on what you say according to a set criteria and you need a certain number of points to pass. For example if you say you feel worried that a return to work will make your condition worse you get 2 points etc etc.

All i would say is that no matter what happens at your medical take someone with you as support and to help answer, answer honestly but refer to your 'worse days' as a point of reference, remember that if all else fails you can appeal, and appeal against the appeal if necessary.

Please try and stay positive and think how lucky you are that all of these people have tried to help you so you are cared for. I wish i had this info at my first hearing so use it well

Good luck and god bless

pipkin71

Hi Blue Angel.

I agree with everyone else. You must answer the questions in a way that honestly affects your illness. If you try to answer in order to attempt to pass the medical it may backfire. I know you are feeling anxious and this must be adding to your illness but honesty has to be the best policy.

I still haven't heard anything about attending a medical yet, and if my questionnaire wasn't enough to convince them and they send for me I will probably start to panic in much the same way as you are. I'm already worried that I haven't heard anything.

It's a sad fact of life that there are people who 'pretend' they are ill and this can have a knock on effect to those of us who are genuinely at a disadvantage / unable to work. This makes these medicals a necessity even though they cause so much distress to genuine people, and often fails genuinely sick people [my biggest worry!]

Keep your chin up and good luck on Monday

pipkin xxxx

the_blue_angel

thanks everyone for all your help

maryotuam

My advice is don't dress up for them. It might give a false impression and you might look better than you really feel.
Take your time answering questions.....or ask them to repeat them if you don't understand. If you are not well it's not easy to take it all in.

I don't imagine they would expect someone suffering from severe depression and anxiety to cope well with the distress of the interview.

Before you go to the interview ask yourself "why can't I cope with a job?". Write down in detail the things that would prevent you from coping day to day in employment.

That's what they will be trying to find out.

the_blue_angel

its getting closer to the medical and i am getting really worried its this monday

Valley's_girl

Hi the blue angel

Don't worry about monday you will be fine.
I have had a medical myself and like you, I got
myself in a right state. I am sure everyone gets
nervous, but just think on Tuesday you will think
what was I so worried about.
I am new to this site so Hi to everyone what a fantastic
site.
Good luck for monday.
Al

twink

good luck for monday if you feel like it i am sure we would like to know how you get on

Tulip

Hi Blue Angel,

Good Luck on Monday,hope all goes well

*hugs*


Katie

pipkin71

Good Luck Tomorrow Blue Angel. Hope All Goes Well For You - I Will Be Keeping My Fingers Crossed All Day Xxxxx

the_blue_angel

well just got back from the medical glad i took somebody with me from the mental health advocate as i was really stressed out it was a australian doctor he must have asked a thousand questions when i was so worked up he asked me who was the primeministy i had a mental block i could not think for the life of me what the anser was he then said what is 7 from 93 i could not think for the life of me then 5 minites later i started counting down from 93 on my finger and gave him the anser