DLA visit from Dr - what to expect?

pinklady21

Hi everyone
Looking for a bit of advice, and some reassurance as I am very nervous about a visit from the ATOS Dr this week re my claim for DLA.
I don't mind about being "tested", I have just heard so many horror stories of them trying to catch you out.
I have been claiming Incapacity Ben for nearly 10 years, and have just been migrated to ESA Support Group (no medical).
Among the descriptors used by the DM, included Mobilising - unable to mobilise more than 50m reliably, repeatedly and safely.

Reading the criteria for DLA, I would think that on these grounds I would meet HRM, and due to other problems I have I believe I meet MRC as well, which is what I put on the form and the additional pages of supporting notes I also sent in.

My question is - what should I expect from the "medical"?
How long will it last?
What questions will be asked?
Anything I should be wary of?
(things like the 'trick' questions they typically ask for the WCA etc)

Any advice gratefully received!
Many thanks
Kind regards et

tracy0770

hi when i had medical at home, they time you how long it takes answer door, need see proof of name and address, also if have walking stick, they check end see if it been used. ask bout your day to day living, they also note if they can see if in pain or not and how much, there are no trick questions, i found them better than atos, they are emp, do not worry or panick as i been through same and it helped me get my decision in my favour, good luck hope it go well for you x

mazza111

They also check to see how long you can sit still for. They put this on my daughter's medical after it was completed. We then used it to send to ATOS when it came to her ESA. They check the way you walk, what aids you use around the house etc.

It took around 45 minutes for my daughter's examination. Hope that helps.

oldhand

As with all medicals theres good and bad examiners,if your claiming for care it may help to have someone who cares for you present to help with answers.Make sure you have any medication you take close at hand as they will ask to see them and watch as you go to fetch them,walking etc. They should not be there to catch you out but they do tend to rush through their questions so it may help to write down some of the ways you have problems and refer to them if asked.Make sure if they write down a statement you are happy with all of it before signing if asked.
Finally dont judge how you think you have done by the attitude of the examiner,some people have thought they done very well because the examiner seemed as friendly as their mother only to have a letter a few weeks later turning them down,likewise others have came across as their worst enemies but were successful,best of luck anyway.

isolation

oldhand wrote: »

As with all medicals theres good and bad examiners

This is very true. The one my dad had helped him a lot and was very truthful. The one my partner had was argumentative, very leading, missed a lot of basic information (medication side effects etc) from the report which made it appear as if they did not exist and it took several months to have it declared not fit for purpose.

I would recommend having someone with you if possible,

Also give the HCP time to write everything down and try to ensure they are doing so.

If he asks a yes/no question and the answer is not yes/no, ensure that this is annotated. With my partner, she was still explaining an answer and he had ticked a box and was on the next question.

Show any supporting evidence / medication / treatment letters etc even if this is not requested.

Don't be led by questions. Answer truthfully but try not to be swayed by repeated questioning or rephrasing. With my partner, the doctor got so irate with my partner trying to answer a question honestly that he asked her to answer a question about an activity that she could not perform 'hypothetically' (and then he got even more irate to the point that I had to intervene and remind him that his behaviour was inappropriate and aggressive).

I also recorded her assessment without telling the HCP. I believe that you can request that you record it but you may have to do this beforehand.

As I have said above, not trying to scare you as my dad is seriously ill and his assessor was very nice, just pointing out some possibilities.

Afterwards, ask for the assessors report to be sent to you.

Hope that it goes well,
Dee
http://dwpnegligence.wordpress.com

pinklady21

Thank you very much to all of you for your replies - very helpful.
My partner will be there too, and clearly we will be truthful, however it helps to know what the Dr is likely to ask and how to manage the process.
Thank you VERY much everyone!
Kind regards