Incapacity Benefit Wrongly Stopped - Failed Medical

cyclonebri1

Apologies for butting in OP but something in the replies was on my mind when I read all this.

I have to attend a IB medical in a week or so's time.

2 things had been on my mind;

1stly I have been asked to attend this medical but have not filled in any questionaire, is this unusual?, will I be asked to do it at the medical?

2ndly, and the reason I posted, I was going to ask them if I could record the interview, that however sound like a nono, just what are they afraid of??
If thats out I was considering taking someone with me to copy verbatim and ask them to sign as accurate. I bet thats out too??

It's not that I think I will have any problems as mine are mainly physical and are well documented by hospital reports etc, but I don't have a brilliant memory, particularly when stressed which this process does to everyone, and I really do want to see if my answers tranfer accurately.

Asking for a copy of the report before I sit the medical will be a given, may not be the place/dept to do it but it make clear my doubts.

seven-day-weekend

Angel89 wrote: »

Just ignore this fool welshmoneylover... :rotfl::cool::rolleyes:

And that was a very good suggestion.


Since at the end of the day no matter how you dress it up, how seriously it may affect you, the effects that it may have on your life,
depression is DEPRESSION.

Theres not 1 type of just casual and 'improper', and then 2nd type thats the ''real depression''.

Theres only 1 single core thing thats depression, it may get to more serious stages for some people that it then causes other pyschological conditions and feelings inside your mind, but its still just different stages along the same road.


Everyone feels depressed.

When you constantly sad and scared and in fear everyday of your life your mind is in a constant state of depression,
but who cares?!

The world doesnt pause and wait, the bills and expenses dont halt,
you can feel as sad and miserable and messedup in your head all day but you still have to just get on with life and earn to support yourself, no matter how you feel inside.



And so as the poster said instead of moping around inside all day if you just did what everyone else has to do and went and got a job you would PHYSICALLY be able to do it.

(you may still feel the same way inside your mind, but thats life, you ust have to get on with it no matter what)

You have absolutely no idea what a serious depressive illness is like.

When my husband was at his worst, even if someone had said he would have absolutely no money or any other help unless he went to work, he still could not have gone, in fact I think he would have been suicidal.

.(Just to add, when he got better he want back to work for another ten years until he took early retirement).

A friend of mine was hospitalized for four months with serious depression,she didn't know where her head was, let alone be able go to work.

Your theory might work for those who are feeling a bit anxious or cheesed off, but serious depression is a totally different animal.

NASA_2

They do allow you to record interviews - you simply have to arrange for it to comply with DWP standards which means having the recording equipment being checked by an engineer to ensure that it is high quality etc. and so that they can be sure you have not doctored the tapes after the medical you also have to provide all parties concerned with a copy of the recording.

cit_k

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

1stly I have been asked to attend this medical but have not filled in any questionaire, is this unusual?, will I be asked to do it at the medical?

Not sure on that one, I usually get the a form before a medical, it may not be the same for everyone though, I would ring up the IB people and ask them if its normal not to have filled in the form, see what they say (let us know what the reply is please)

2ndly, and the reason I posted, I was going to ask them if I could record the interview, that however sound like a nono, just what are they afraid of??

Definately a nono.
Only allowed if agreed with them, and if you follow their rules (two copies made, twin deck professional machine, pro calibrated immediately before medical by qaulified sound engineer etc. Way over the top, and even in excess of the police and criminal evidence act rules for recording suspects in custody!) - so dont tell them about you recording it (and bear in mind you may be asked to remove some clothing, so dont put the recorder anywhere obvious)

If thats out I was considering taking someone with me to copy verbatim and ask them to sign as accurate. I bet thats out too??

You can take someone with you, and they can take notes.

Please note that if notes are taken, the doctor will (or should if following training) issue a oral warning to you along the lines of its their right to challenge to content of the notes, that the notes wont be included in his/her report and the notes will not be accepted as a official record of the examination.

Obviously, bearing that in mind, the chance of getting the examiner to sign the notes stating they are a true and accurate record is virtually zero - unless you get a examiner who forgets the rules.

Asking for a copy of the report before I sit the medical will be a given, may not be the place/dept to do it but it make clear my doubts.

If they let you get a word in edgeways that is, some are ok, and let you talk, some badger you into just answering the questions.


As to what are they afraid of - in that they wont let you record, and wont sign notes as accurate - well to me, I personally think they are afraid of being proven to be liars, and unethical cheats who deserve to be struck off. But thats just my opinion.

cit_k

NASA wrote: »

They do allow you to record interviews - you simply have to arrange for it to comply with DWP standards which means having the recording equipment being checked by an engineer to ensure that it is high quality etc. and so that they can be sure you have not doctored the tapes after the medical you also have to provide all parties concerned with a copy of the recording.

Even the police do not have such extreme standards for recording.

No need for a qualified engineer to check the equipment out immediately prior to the examination with the pace act.

No need for a twin deck simultaneous recording device either - its fine under police rules to use a single deck tape recorder - as long as a copy is made - in front of the suspect, and the master tape is in sight the whole time until the copy is completed.

ATOS/DWP could allow that, or allow someone to use a laptop to record it, and burn two identical copies of the sound file to 2 cd's at the end - all witnessed by the examiner, but they wont allow it.

They could even allow claimant notes to be signed by the examiner to declare they are accurate - and have them photocopied in front of both parties, with each party keeping a copy - but they wont.

They could allow the claimaint to see the report before they leave the building - but they wont.

They could release LIMA for examination, but they wont (to concerned about making money from its sales to others)

They could act ethically and honestly, and do the job properly - but I have never met one that does yet.

NASA_2

Good for you - or not, as the case seems to be.

cit_k

One thing Im curious about, never having had a interview under caution with the dwp - is can a claimaint walk out if they dont see a fully qualified sound engineer (with proof of his / her qualifications shown) calibrating the machine immediately prior to the recording being started - and do they also give a copy of the tape as standard to the claimaint?

Are the dwp standards applied to themselves?

NASA_2

cit_k wrote: »

Are the dwp standards applied to themselves?

I certainly hope not - think of the cost to the hard working tax payers.

cit_k

Think of all the extra employment it would create though, all those extra sound engineers getting jobs, and sales of tapes would increase, more employment!

seven-day-weekend

I don't see as there is any need to tape anything - I think it's a bit paranoid tbh. - just have someone take notes. Then you have a witness as to what was said.

(Edited to add : If I had been asked to sign someone's notes as accurate when I was employed by the Council, I also would not have done so in case they were not! Anyone, including the DWP and ATOS, can make mistakes.).