PIP assessment - can they request psychiatrist assessment.

PixelPound

Wondering what the DWP appointed assessors can do.

My wife made a claim 2 months ago and the assessors text her 4 weeks ago saying it was with them and heard nothing since. On Friday she's got a letter from the NHS psychiatry asking for her to contact them to go on their waiting list. My wife things it's related to her claim due to the mental health aspects she has put, but I believe the assessors wouldn't do that (or wouldn't be NHS) and assess on what paperwork provided, any requests to GP, and possibly an assessment with he claimant.

Has anyone been required to have an assessment by a medical professional as part of a PIP claim?

elsien

Has she considered that her GP may have referred her to secondary psychiatric services  for assessment/help and that it is nothing to do with PIP?
I stand to be corrected, but I’m fairly sure PIP are not in the business of making referrals. 

Spoonie_Turtle

nic_c said:

Wondering what the DWP appointed assessors can do.

My wife made a claim 2 months ago and the assessors text her 4 weeks ago saying it was with them and heard nothing since. On Friday she's got a letter from the NHS psychiatry asking for her to contact them to go on their waiting list. My wife things it's related to her claim due to the mental health aspects she has put, but I believe the assessors wouldn't do that (or wouldn't be NHS) and assess on what paperwork provided, any requests to GP, and possibly an assessment with he claimant.

Has anyone been required to have an assessment by a medical professional as part of a PIP claim?

Nope, they don't have that kind of power.

They do have the power to contact health professionals already involved with a claimant's care, using the details given on the PIP claim form, yet they almost never even do that.  (Despite it being an expected part of the PIP process according to the government's guidance, and even when it would be helpful for them to do so.  It is extremely rare, to the point that it is almost never.)

There is no way they would meddle with someone's healthcare by requesting appointments/assessments with other medical professionals, I don't think it would be possible even if they wanted to.

Alice_Holt

No, an assessor hasn't that power.

However, such a referral (from her GP?) might add weight to any PIP appeal, should it be required. 

PixelPound

Thanks. I had thought as such, but wanted to check.