NHS app

wonkydaze

Hi, I 'm trying to get my evidence together for a PIP review and I read that I can do this online. I've signed up to the NHS app and managed to order a repeat prescription but I can't find the service for accessing records. Has anyone else gone through this who can tell me how to do it please?

poppy123456

You will not automatically get access to those. For access you need to speak to your GP surgery and ask them for access to medical records.

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/view-your-gp-health-record/

Kimmy87

If available, tap on the heart icon after logging in (third from left), then GP Health record at the top.

I believe your GP surgery has to enable this, and not all surgeries offer it.

wonkydaze

I think I've got everything I need now. I'm just reliving the trauma of my first assessment, when the health care professional performing my face to face, smiled every time they thought that they had caught me out so they could deny me points. I'd never gone through their full analysis properly before because it was all too upsetting. They have stated that I showed no sign of mental distress and I had a personable demeanour. I remember being in tears for the whole assessment and needing a couple of breaks to be able to answer the questions. I'm so angry about the scrutiny that comes on top of an illness that I would desperately prefer not to live with. It took 12 years and going blind in one eye before I could get a doctor to believe me, instead of being written off as a a neurotic and malingerer and now I have the same thing from the DWP. Rant over.

Rachel_Scope

Hi @wonkydaze. I'm so sorry that your first assessment was so awful. I had someone from DWP in my tribunal who tried to catch me out but it didn't work! It's so hard when people don't believe you, I've had the same thing happen to me. You've gone through such a long journey to be believed which makes you incredibly strong. If you need some more support just ask here and we'll help you 😊 You're always welcome to rant too!

wonkydaze

Thanks Rachel, I'm glad you were able to go into battle and win. I just turn into a blubbering mess with no focus. It's all so exhausting

Rachel_Scope

I never said I wasn't a blubbering mess 😉 It's extremely stressful and overwhelming, it's good to get the tears out. Do you have someone at home who can support you through this?

poppy123456

Just a few pointers before you return the form. Please make sure you've included a couple of real world examples of exactly what happened the last time you attempted each descriptor that applies to you.

Adding detailed information such as where you were, what exactly happened, did anyone see it and what the consequences were.

Please do not just write no change, even if there's been no changes. Give as much relevant information as possible.

If your current award was from the Tribunal, I'd also advise you to include the Tribunal decision letter with the form.

wonkydaze

The review form only gives space for 1 or 2 sentences. Did you add further sheets of paper to give all the information?

wonkydaze

wonkydaze

I didn't have to go to tribunal, I probably should have challenged the original award but I couldn't manage the stress. I was just relieved it was for 6 years. I got 8 points for care and 10 for mobility.

Nashota

Yeah you can put extra information on A4 sheets and send them with it, just make sure your name, dob and NIN are on the extra sheets.

I'm currently doing my review information, I've pretty much completed it, I knew I'd be up for a review this year so I started typing out the info last year and have edited it to tidy it up and so it only has relevant info and I've tried to make sure that it has real world examples as Poppy has said. I personally have put all of my info on A4 sheets and will get someone to write on the form "please refer to page x" or "N/A" if I don't feel I fit the descriptor.

I did the same with my ESA50 and I was given a paper-based assessment and moved to SG (I'm not saying it's going to happen this time though!).

wonkydaze

I hope it goes really well for you Nashota x

Jimm_Scope

As Nashota has said, you write on separate A4 sheets and attach it with the form. The review form giving so little space it quite misleading given what you should write into it.

Remember that you have the same appeal process as a regular application, so you can still submit an appeal if you get an award but think you should be entitled to more. You can read more about the appeals process here: Appealing a benefits decision | Disability charity Scope UK

Please do let us know how you get on with your review!

wonkydaze

Hi, I'm almost there with filling out the review form. I've thoroughly read through the previous assessment decisions and it's all made me lose a lot of confidence in my application. All that they would award points on was what was in the medical evidence from my MS nurse. I'm worried because there are conflicting things stated because MS is a changeable condition and sometimes there are symptoms that affect me more. I have read the MS guide to filling in a PIP form and that stresses the descriptor needing to be carried out safely or repeatedly. All of my evidence for safety was overruled by the assessor and they only would refer to any medical evidence and then claimed that I seemed fine in the face to face and said things like if I could grip a walking stick then I could grip a knife to prepare food. I'm scared that not having new lesions on my MRI will be an excuse to take my award away despite having a relapse that was treated with steroids. The medical evidence is confusing for me as well. There is so much more riding on this appeal since moving to universal credit. My partner does not have commitments because he's my carer. He has bipolar and severe mental health problems but doesn't claim anything because he couldn't cope with the stress, so work commitments for him could really start an avalanche of stress. I know I'm catastrophising but it's not beyond the realms of the DWP to ruin people's lives.

Rachel_Scope

Hi @wonkydaze. My Mum has MS and had to go to tribunal for her most recent PIP claim, despite claiming for the past 25 years. It's not a condition that goes away and it's frustrating that they require you to explain yourself every few years. If you're not awarded it straightaway, don't lose hope. My Mum was successful in the end 😊 Please don't hope for new lesions, I really hope you don't have anymore. We're all here to support you.

wonkydaze

I'm just tired of thinking in the cynical way that the DWP see things. I've gone through my evidence and cross referenced on my renewal where this is mentioned in my medical evidence. I've got so much else going on right now, my son is going to be applying to uni and needs a lot of support. PIP stuff is making me bad tempered and exhausted. I'm so sorry that they put your mum through that kind of stress it's actually like they want to push people to the edge. x