Nightmare ESA Reassessment

Mrs_Ryan

Sorry but a consultant psychiatrist’s letter doesn’t carry any weight with DWP as I discovered when doing my fiance’s PIP claim. He’s been under the community mental health team for 14 years- under the care of a consultant psychiatrist- and the DWP turned round and said he doesn’t have a mental health condition and his diagnosis is ‘just an opinion’ and that he doesn’t need his anti psychotic drugs that he’s going to be on for life! 

Also the waiting lists for consultant psychiatrist care is horrendous. I was referred as an emergency when I was acutely suicidal back in August- I was seen as an emergency case in December. It’s all well and good saying ‘why isn’t he under the care of a psychiatrist if he’s so bad’ but as an ex Mental Healthcare worker I know what a state MH care is in! Also ESA Support Group rates are not 500+ in all cases- I was on ESA Support Group myself not so long ago- I got 420 every 4 weeks, a very long way from being over 500!!! 

OP, I’ve been there with my partner and know how hard it is. I hope you manage to get it sorted. OH’s PIP is currently at Upper Tribunal as I have a very good lawyer! 

sassy_one

Mrs_Ryan said:

Sorry but a consultant psychiatrist’s letter doesn’t carry any weight with DWP as I discovered when doing my fiance’s PIP claim. He’s been under the community mental health team for 14 years- under the care of a consultant psychiatrist- and the DWP turned round and said he doesn’t have a mental health condition and his diagnosis is ‘just an opinion’ and that he doesn’t need his anti psychotic drugs that he’s going to be on for life! 

Also the waiting lists for consultant psychiatrist care is horrendous. I was referred as an emergency when I was acutely suicidal back in August- I was seen as an emergency case in December. It’s all well and good saying ‘why isn’t he under the care of a psychiatrist if he’s so bad’ but as an ex Mental Healthcare worker I know what a state MH care is in! Also ESA Support Group rates are not 500+ in all cases- I was on ESA Support Group myself not so long ago- I got 420 every 4 weeks, a very long way from being over 500!!! 

OP, I’ve been there with my partner and know how hard it is. I hope you manage to get it sorted. OH’s PIP is currently at Upper Tribunal as I have a very good lawyer! 

You don't need to have any lawyer to take it to tribunal let alone 'very good'.

coachman12

Mrs_Ryan said:

Sorry but a consultant psychiatrist’s letter doesn’t carry any weight with DWP as I discovered when doing my fiance’s PIP claim. He’s been under the community mental health team for 14 years- under the care of a consultant psychiatrist- and the DWP turned round and said he doesn’t have a mental health condition and his diagnosis is ‘just an opinion’ and that he doesn’t need his anti psychotic drugs that he’s going to be on for life! 

Also the waiting lists for consultant psychiatrist care is horrendous. I was referred as an emergency when I was acutely suicidal back in August- I was seen as an emergency case in December. It’s all well and good saying ‘why isn’t he under the care of a psychiatrist if he’s so bad’ but as an ex Mental Healthcare worker I know what a state MH care is in! Also ESA Support Group rates are not 500+ in all cases- I was on ESA Support Group myself not so long ago- I got 420 every 4 weeks, a very long way from being over 500!!! 

OP, I’ve been there with my partner and know how hard it is. I hope you manage to get it sorted. OH’s PIP is currently at Upper Tribunal as I have a very good lawyer! 
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I must disagree. My relative's experience was quite different to what you encountered. A consultant psychiatrist is such an important specialist that DWP would not risk standing up to a robust assessment report from a psychiatrist in case a disaster should occur and put DWP in the dock again for its uncaring stance which can cause suicide, which is DWP's worst fear. The consultant psychiatrist who I mentioned actually told DWP that he would appear at any complaint tribunal on behalf of his patient; he also asked the patient's spouse to write out a draft letter for him to send to DWP, and he used most of that draft when he wrote to DWP and ATOS. So I have a different story which may give more hope to the O/P than your sad experience.
Of course, I agree with your truism that NHS psychiatrists take far too long to get round to seeing patients, waiting lists are a disgrace. That is why, if you re-read my posting, I recommended paying to see a consultant psychiatrist at a BUPA, Nuffield etc , which would be arranged via GP within a few days. 
But, as you imply, there is no doubt that in the long run, we need a complete overhaul of mental health care in this country and we need to see DWP showing compassion for a severe disabling problem that, just because it does not show up on MRI Scans, is treated with less care. Sorry to hear of your own family experiences. 
Once again, best wishes and good luck to the O/P.