Been called for medical - not happy

Muttleythefrog

MUMZ2BEE wrote: »

I have just spoken to my GP on the phone and because of my mental health issues, and the stress of going for this medical, she is going to refer me back to the adult mental health services so I can have some support.

I haven't been for a medical before and don't know what to expect; my doctor knows I am unfit for work mostly due to my mental health problems, but also because of my heart condition, which is my worse by the under active thyroid.

I have to say a big thank you to everyone on here for behind very kind and helpful and I have certainly taken on board what everyone has said.

I will keep you posted when I attend the medical; I am not looking forward to it but I know that everyone is being assessed at the moment not just myself.

Again, many thanks to everyone on here for being so helpful!!

Key is to focus on the descriptors you feel you meet. This isn't a test of whether you can work or not... so put such matters out of your mind... this is a test which looks to see if the descriptors (statements of disability) apply to you or not.

The medical itself you'll probably find quite rushed and software driven. As above.. don't think of it as a medical... they'll be sitting at a PC using specialist software.. they'll ask questions like 'do you have any hobbies'.. 'do you watch TV'..'did you have a nice journey to the assessment centre today' etc. Your answers will generate facts... and they'll be used to determine descriptor applicability. For example.. if you say you enjoy horseriding then that could be used to justify non selection of descriptors relating to sitting, standing, getting about, learning tasks, manual dexterity etc.

If your GP wants to help you then a letter to take to the assessment would be useful if it relates directly to the descriptors. Statements like 'she cannot work currently' is useless.

patd1967

Im going to wish you the best of luck with your ESA medical (as your going to need it). In my case I have had a heart attack,cancer in 5 place and a stroke,also had a TIA the day after ATOS and the DWP found me fit for work.Even with all the medical reports from my consultant and GP. Hope you keep strong and have got plenty of support

MUMZ2BEE

My gp unfortunately wont do me a letter to take as I did ask her, BUT she was very supportive at referring me back to MH for support.

She said no to a letter as she said she wasn't sure what questions I'd be asked.

I believe I fit the descriptor that asks if you can walk 50 metres without suffering pain and exhuastion.

I cant walk very far without getting breathless, and I have suffered from palpitations in the chest, and felt dizzy/sick.

I put all this on the ESA form and am amazed at still being called.

I shall just have to try and explain things at the time and hope for the best; but the again I know I can always appeal if I fail!!

Again, many thanks!! ::++)) xx

heartbreak_star

MUMZ2BEE wrote: »

BUT she was very supportive at referring me back to MH for support. She's doing her job right then - good.

I believe I fit the descriptor that asks if you can walk 50 metres without suffering pain and exhuastion. That simply says you can't do a physical job - it's not a total excluder AFAIK.

I cant walk very far without getting breathless, and I have suffered from palpitations in the chest, and felt dizzy/sick. Dizzy/sick they might not really care about, but maybe try and get hold of a heart rate monitor to show the palpitations?

I put all this on the ESA form and am amazed at still being called.

I shall just have to try and explain things at the time and hope for the best; but the again I know I can always appeal if I fail!!

Again, many thanks!! ::++)) xx

Few comments in purple as a worst case scenario.

If you are being medicated for your hypothyroidism then it will be discounted too (personal experience there, my doctor told me not to try and claim ESA because of it, when he knows full well I work full time, cheeky git).

HBS x

Muttleythefrog

heartbreak_star wrote: »

I believe I fit the descriptor that asks if you can walk 50 metres without suffering pain and exhuastion. That simply says you can't do a physical job - it's not a total excluder AFAIK.

To clarify, if the descriptor for mobilising regarding 50m was found to apply then she qualifies for ESA.

KxMx

MUMZ2BEE wrote: »

My gp unfortunately wont do me a letter to take as I did ask her, BUT she was very supportive at referring me back to MH for support.

She said no to a letter as she said she wasn't sure what questions I'd be asked.

I believe I fit the descriptor that asks if you can walk 50 metres without suffering pain and exhuastion.

I cant walk very far without getting breathless, and I have suffered from palpitations in the chest, and felt dizzy/sick.

I put all this on the ESA form and am amazed at still being called.

I shall just have to try and explain things at the time and hope for the best; but the again I know I can always appeal if I fail!!

Again, many thanks!! ::++)) xx

They can't just take your words on a form as facts set in stone i'm afraid.

Neither ATOS or DWP work in such a way.

Guilty until proven innocent!

Molly41

I thought it was mobilising using a wheelchair for that descriptor? I got caught out on that one but my physio was able to write and state that I could not use a wheelchair.

Muttleythefrog

Molly41 wrote: »

I thought it was mobilising using a wheelchair for that descriptor? I got caught out on that one but my physio was able to write and state that I could not use a wheelchair.

It is. Even if you don't use one then a theoretical one can be created for the purposes of applying the test.

zoominatorone

MUMZ2BEE wrote: »

I have just spoken to my GP on the phone and because of my mental health issues, and the stress of going for this medical, she is going to refer me back to the adult mental health services so I can have some support.

I haven't been for a medical before and don't know what to expect; my doctor knows I am unfit for work mostly due to my mental health problems, but also because of my heart condition, which is my worse by the under active thyroid.

I have to say a big thank you to everyone on here for behind very kind and helpful and I have certainly taken on board what everyone has said.

I will keep you posted when I attend the medical; I am not looking forward to it but I know that everyone is being assessed at the moment not just myself.

Again, many thanks to everyone on here for being so helpful!!

You've never been to a medical before? In 22 years? They've been paying out for 22 years and haven't had you in for any kind of medical?

nannytone_2

I passed my ESA medical a year ago next week, with no problems.

i was sent a new ESA 50 in july, which i completed and returned.
ATOS bounced it straight back to DWP without the need for a medical.

not gloating ... just pointing out that they system can work. we just tend to haer the negative stories and not thge positive ones