incapacity benefit, doctor!

freakier_darkali

my partner has just recieved a phone call and has to go to see one of the benefits doctors. Im really worried as i have heard really bad things about these doctors, is there any tips or advice anyone could give me.
Very much appreciated, thanks.

mouseymousey99

Hi Freakier, as I understand it you dont have to go to them, you can ask for a home visit. You can also have someone else with you. I'm sure someone with lots more knowledge will be along soon.

seven-day-weekend

The best advice is really just to go and answer all the questions about your illness honestly. Answer the questions as to how your condition NORMALLY affects you. For example if you can climb stairs one day, but then need a week to rest, then you can't climb stairs. Or if you have a mental health problem that usually prevents you from seeing people, but on a good day you can manage it, then you can't normally face seeing people.

You are allowed to take someone with you who can speak on your behalf if necessary.

Good luck!

donnalove

make sure that somebody can accompany her , really to take notice of what is being said , as in my experience and others on here the doctors are turning thinks around what you say . I have a copy of my medical report and there are lots of lies and things that i didn't say and on some questions he hasn't put what i said to him , there are a lot of made up things on there , for instance on mine i told him i like reading forums and playing bingo on the internet , the doctor actually put " i sit for an hour or so playing videogames"
!!!!!! i don't... there are lots more on mine and some downright lies, making it out that he physically examined me when he didn't .

so make sure she is accompanied

donnalove
xx

diddlydum

Make sure you take a friend, and make sure that you behave normally. Don't try and lay the illness on with a trowel, and don't over-exert yourself through pride. Explain everything clearly, don't get flustered, and just try and relax as best you can.

You can get them to come to you, but they usually won't unless there's a good reason why you should have a home visit (e.g. you have agoraphobia).

It makes me sad to say this, but above all, expect the doctor to lie on his report, and expect the decision maker to cancel your benefit. It happens all too often. If it does happen, you have one month to appeal from the date of the decision, and you need to lodge an appeal on form GL24.

freakier_darkali

thank you so much, you all been so helpful! thanks for the advice

freakier_darkali

i just let my partner read this and he said surely if a doctor blatantly lies like that then they would be liable for mal practice or something similar?

if this happened, what do you think would happen if we went to our local mp?

nephasu

im still fighting for my incapacity benefit, oh yes those doctors lie and theres not a damn thing you can do they complete there forms with lies and attitudes since when is a dr trained in body language? if your not screaming in pain he makes out sat comfortable for 30 mins.

i have sent my appeal to the high courts 11 months later i am still waiting
i have fibromyalgia and ostioartheritis and had 19 examinations to proove that i am unfit for work.

dont leave anything to chance dont hold anything back and if you are in pain say so dont let them put what they want.

in my petition ive asked for all such meetings to be recorded so things cant be mis-interpritted either by mistake or on purpose and the transcripts ive receivedback have agreed with me.

good luck to you.

p.s check the site for your complaint and they will be able to tell you more citizens advice tell you to tell them what its like at the very worst as they think everyone is lying to beguin with and thats where i went wrong i was too honest and i have that in writing.

hjb123

I can understand what you are going through. Its best if someone goes with him then there is both moral support and someone there to mention things that you may forget (if the doctor allows you to speak!). Try not to worry about it too much, though I know this is easier said than done! I had a medical earlier in the year and I was really worried and getting ill over it but the doctor I saw was lovely and understanding of ME/CFS and I passed the medical and no review for 18 months.

diddlydum

freakier_darkali wrote: »

i just let my partner read this and he said surely if a doctor blatantly lies like that then they would be liable for mal practice or something similar?

It's medical opinion, rather than medical fact, and as such the doctor would not have any responsibility.

The law is exceptionally kind to doctors who make mistakes.

freakier_darkali

i just hope it all goes alright though, although i have a feeling mental health problems (which is what my partner has) are going to be a lot easier for them to dismiss, it just makes me so mad. for one i have to live with him and i know better than any doctor how hard it is and two we have had to fight everyday almost for over a year with them keep stopping and starting our money and making us do things we dont need to do. All this has put us under extra stress and ultimatley made him worse. We now have to live with my parents because of them. Im just so sick of being trated this way, he is genuinley ill but we have to pay for people who are not.:mad: