can dwp force me to have physiotherapy

michael_m

Hello everybody

Can anyone answer the following questions

Do the dwp have any legal authority to FORCE me to undergo physiotherapy

If I am offered physiotherapy by my doctor and I decline the offer, can the dwp stop my pip benefit

My circumstances are as follows

I have suffered from Functional neurological disorder since 2018, at this time I could only walk for about 30 minutes at 15 metres per minute and then I had to continue mobilizing in a powered wheelchair, although I could ‘propel’ myself in a manual wheelchair I could only do this at 15 metres per minute, had to stop frequently to let the pain in my arms subside and due to a lack of physical strength in my arms as a result of my FND condition (also effected the strength in my legs which is why I could only walk slowly) and thus couldn’t maintain control of the wheelchair ‘downhill’ this is why I had to use a powered wheelchair.

Now, I still have to use a powered wheelchair as there has been no improvement in the strength in my arms, however I can now walk at a pace of 31.6 metres per minute, albiet only for a few minutes and then after continue in my powered wheelchair.

On the basis my condition is slowly improving I don’t believe physiotherapy will help me (genuinley) but I do worry if there would be serious consequences from the dwp if I were to refuse it.

Obviously due to my ‘mobility issue’ and my inability to use a manual wheelchair I am also in the LCWRA group

Thanks everyone

poppy123456

No, no one can force you to do anything you don't want to do, including DWP and your GP. 

michael_m

Hi woodbine

Thanks for your reply

I can assure you I do have genuine reasons for not wanting to have physiotherapy, although I wont bore you with the details. Rest assured I am not trying to hide anything.

Hannah_Alumni

Hello @michael_m

Welcome to the community  

As Poppy said, they cannot force you to do anything you don't want to do. I just wanted to check in you still have support with your health. Is there anything else they can offer or have offered to support you? 

bookrabbit

The DWP weren't exactly impressed that I hadn't taken up the physio and x-rays that my GP had ordered for me and that was probably why I didn't get any points for mobility on my PIP assessment despite getting LCWRA because of it being so poor. A MR has been submitted for PIP. 

Given that I knew I was about to be made homeless and because of my severe social anxiety having kept me housebound for years I just couldn't cope with the thought of it. The WCA assessor seemed to understand this but the PIP one didn't despite awarding me lower mobility because I need someone with me when I go out.

I may feel up to physio when I'm in my new home, I don't know. They can't force us but they obviously think it is ok to use it against us.

Biblioklept

For my PIP form I explained why I didn't or wasn't able to engage in things like physio or follow up investigations for things, I think it helped paint the bigger picture of why I didn't have huge amounts of evidence beyond my own anecdotal stuff.