DLA Question.

munchings-n-crunchings

Usually, as long as the patient consents to you being present, there is no problem you sitting in on the appointment. I always had to go in with my former OH, and no comment was ever made.

The benefit of putting everything in writing, is that you leave it with the doctor, and they have something to refer back to at a later date.
It also means, that during the appointment, the doctor can actually talk to you, rather than making, what could be lenghty notes.


Regards
Munchie

HomingPigeon

Thanks very much, Munchie.:T

TOBRUK

HomingPigeon wrote: »

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.

Hi HomingPigeon, over the years I have been seen by DLA doctor who visited me at home and been asked to attend my own surgery as requested by DLA.

The DLA doctor who came out to see me was a horrible man who hardly made eye contact, had his head in the form most of the time - he told me that he was a retired GP. He asked me questions and then wrote on the form, the only examination was that he asked me to get up from a chair, stand and take a few steps. Not at all pleasant.

On another occasion, like you I was contacted by my surgery and was given an appointment by a doctor in my practice. I wasn't seen by my usual doctor (who I see every 6-8 weeks) but one of the partners. He was very nice, helpful and asked me questions - he wrote on a form as he went on. He examined me and spent quite a while asking me different things. This visit was very relaxed.

As far as I could see on both occasions the form wasn't very long.

From your post it doesn't seem that your OH visits the GP very often. Surely if he is receiving treatment, medication etc he has to go for a review every now and then? It really does help if your GP knows how your condition affects you. Going in with your OH will not be a problem, I would think it would help if you can put him/her in the picture. Don't be afraid to speak freely to the GP. You can tell the GP what you have put on the DLA form - the GP will not have this information.

Good luck, hope the appointment goes well. Let us know how it goes.

HomingPigeon

Hi Tobruk and thanks for reply.

My OH visits the surgery a lot for regular check-ups, that's why I thought they would just fill in a form based on the notes already held at the surgery. The doctor doing the forthcoming assessment is not the doctor he usually sees though. He has been given an appointment with the doctor who is the head of the practice.

He didn't mention the name of the doc he usually sees on the DLA form, as we are told by the surgery that it is a group practice and no-one is actually assigned to one specific doctor - I am starting to think that perhaps he should have named a specific doctor in this instance though.

I did wonder if the doctor will have been given a copy of the completed application form ... it looks as if he hasn't.

To be honest I was kind of hoping the doctor would give his opinion without calling my OH in, as OH does have a tendency to say, "Oh, I'm not that bad really, I can cope with it". And he does cope with his problems, but he struggles more than he will admit.

I've read on forums, it's extremely difficult to get awarded DLA. He decided to try for it after being advised by a member of the medical profession who knows about all his ailments. I am realistic and I know that there's a strong chance he will get refused. He will take that very badly, so part of me wishes he had never started the claim in the first place.

Thanks again for posting - much appreciated.

HomingPigeon

Hi all. Just a note to let you know that OH has had his doc's appointment, and we feel it went well. The doctor was helpful and scribbled notes onto the form, referring to his computer records, and also to the written notes we had prepared for him.

We were with him for about 25 minutes in total.

It's early days yet, but fingers crossed for a positive result. Anyone have any idea how long it will take for the DLA office to get back to us? The GP posted the form back to them yesterday.

Thanks all. x

Jenny81_2

Hi HomingPigeon. It takes around 12 weeks all in if I remember correctly. My Mum was awarded DLA after her case went to a tribunal. It took 9 months to get to that stage though. Not that I'm saying your OH's case would go to a tribunal, or even that it would take that long in your area! You just need to have a lot of patience.

HomingPigeon

Thanks for that, Jenny. Guess we could be in for a long and bumpy ride. Let's hope he's one of the lucky ones (if there is such a thing).

L6MCT

HomingPigeon wrote: »

Anyone have any idea how long it will take for the DLA office to get back to us?

The letter I got back acknowledging receipt of my form said to allow up to 8 working weeks and if you haven't heard by then to contact them. My decision came almost 8 weeks to the day (no change LRC/LRM) but my friend got hers within 3 (no award). My appeal is in cos they never even consulted my GP even though I told them my mobility is greatly reduced and GP helped get me my Blue Badge.

I always send my forms by recorded delivery just to be on the safe side.

Newly_retired

I work at the CAB and help clients complee DLA forms. The quickest reply recently was a mere two weeks - needless to say it was turned down and of course they had not asked for any medical reports from any of the health professionals named. You have one month from the date of the decision letter to challenge it. You can simply write and ask them to look at it again eg sayingthey did not get medical reports or you can appeal. If you appeal they will look at it again anyway and should reply to that. If it has to go to Tribunal that can take weeks. In my experience the vast majority od DLA initial claims are turned down but many are successfully challenged epsecially if you get help form someone eg CAB to complete the forms.

dmg24

Newly_retired wrote: »

I work at the CAB and help clients complee DLA forms. The quickest reply recently was a mere two weeks - needless to say it was turned down and of course they had not asked for any medical reports from any of the health professionals named. You have one month from the date of the decision letter to challenge it. You can simply write and ask them to look at it again eg sayingthey did not get medical reports or you can appeal. If you appeal they will look at it again anyway and should reply to that. If it has to go to Tribunal that can take weeks. In my experience the vast majority od DLA initial claims are turned down but many are successfully challenged epsecially if you get help form someone eg CAB to complete the forms.

Surely you know to include reports with the application?