DLA Question.

HomingPigeon

My OH submitted a Disability Living Allowance application form and has had a phone call from his doctor's receptionist, asking him to go and see the doctor (his own doctor, not a DLA appointed doctor) to go through the form.

Can anyone give us an idea of what this will entail? Will it be the same form as he has already filled in and submitted to the DLA office?

I thought you were made to see a DLA appointed doctor for a medical - not your own doctor.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Apologies if this is in the wrong section.

SuziQ

If your GP hasn't seen your OH for some time, it may only be that he needs to see him/her to know the up to date staus of their condition and care needs, which will enbale the GP to complete the form accurately. I think it's great the GP is caring enough to do that.

AsknAnswer2

DLA can request a report from the GP, and often do. They send the GP a form to complete.

The GP will want to see your OH for the reasons SuxiQ stated, to ensure he gives an accurate report rather than just using medical records from the past on which to base the report.

Indie_Kid

AsknAnswer2 wrote: »

rather than just using medical records from the past on which to base the report.

This happened to me and it was a GP who I'd seen a grand total of once - a few years before I applied for DLA.

AsknAnswer2

That's the problem. DLA are only supposed to request reports from a professional if they have seen the claimant within the last year. (that's why it asks on the DLA claim form for the last time the claimant visited the professional). Often though, they go ahead and request a report anyway.

In my child's case they were going to request a report from the GP whom my child had never seen because we'd changed surgeries. I had to point out that I did write on the form that my child had never visited this particular practice, and that I had advised the best person to obtain a report from would be her OT, who was doing ongoing assessments and therapy and whom saw my child weekly.

They didn't request the GP report in the end, but they did request a report from Paed - whom had only seen my child once, and almost 9 months prior. No report from the OT was requested which in my view was completely daft. She was the person most likely to be able to give an accurate and professional opinion of my child's needs. An OT links disability to need, and can provide a comprehensive report of the claimant for the purposes of DLA.

HomingPigeon

Thanks very much for replies.

andyandflo

SuziQ wrote: »

If your GP hasn't seen your OH for some time, it may only be that he needs to see him/her to know the up to date staus of their condition and care needs, which will enbale the GP to complete the form accurately. I think it's great the GP is caring enough to do that.

Hey that GP needs a medal for taking that action!

My wife claimed DLA in October 09 lost and is now going to appeal. In the appeal papers, there is a copy of a GP report.

Last seen 2004

Medication XXXXXXXXXX

Diagnosis XXXXXXXXX

Yes I knew that - trying to get her there is like getting blood out of a stone. She refuses to go! She even had the ATOS doctor come round to the house who she promptly ejected because she felt intimidated.

She just orders and picks up her repeat prescription for painkillers, anti drepessants, water tablets and digestive tablets. She hasn't seen the GP since 2005 actually (not 2004).

The GP report was based on that visit in 2005!!!

12 months indeed.

She has since claimed AA with the same result - refused. In fact I copied the GP report that was in the DLA appeal pack and sent it in as evidence!

So unless she sees the GP, she will never be able to claim what I and she believes she is entitled to.

HomingPigeon

Sorry to read that you have had such a bad time of it, andy. I'm guessing that a sympathetic/helpful doctor could make all the difference to the claim.

munchings-n-crunchings

Hello HomingPigeon,

When I'm submitting my children's DLA forms, I always make a point in contacting the GP and any other medical professionals involved in their care.

It would be a good idea to write a letter for your OH to take with him to the GP.
This way, you can make sure all points are covered, and nothing is missed out.
Remember, the GP will be very good at the factual medical information about the condition, but not necessarily how it affects you daily.
Ideally, this should be the focus of your letter, as DLA is based on care / mobility needs, not just the diagnosis itself.

Regards

Munchie

andyandflo

HomingPigeon wrote: »

Sorry to read that you have had such a bad time of it, andy. I'm guessing that a sympathetic/helpful doctor could make all the difference to the claim.

Hi thanks for that, yes I believe so. But heyho, there is little more that I can do. If she won't go - wild horses couldn't get her there. I have tried talking to the GP (same as me), but all she says is that she can't help until my wife goes to her herself.

Having said that, I don't think her even going will make any difference, they are not that sympathetic to patients who want to claim benefits.

I have myself been seriously ill for many years, but after giving up my job last December because of it, and claiming ESA, the GP has been less than helpful.

I can't even access sickness benefit because of the lack of support from them.
(long story short, I had a row with them recently which has now been left as just being civil). There are no other GP's around as we live in a very small village - quite a distance from another practice.

Because of the stress I have now claimed JSA and cancelled the ESA appeal. Just hoping they don't come up with a job offer as there is no way I could go back to work.
But at least I am getting some money to keep us.

Still it could be worse, they are better than no doctor at all.

Anyhow good luck

HomingPigeon

Sorry to hear about your troubles andy. I was always under the impression that a DLA appointed doctor would come to your house and give you a medical examination, but perhaps that has changed now. That's a shame as it would have been ideal for your situation.

Munchings, I wonder if the doctor will let me sit in on the appointment, as my OH will probably forget to tell the doc some of the problems he has. I know he will be just wanting to rush in and out, and get it over with as quickly as possible.

Do you think the doctor will allow me to sit in with him? Also, my OH has a note of most of the answers he gave on the form (he got someone from an advice bureau to help him fill it in) but it is 30+ pages long. I don't know whether it would be wise to take all the notes to the doctors or not.

He doesn't hold out a lot of hope of being awarded anything as we have heard that DLA is very difficult to get, but you get nothing at all if you don't try.