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pip appeal - panel had issue with a self purchased stick - warning to others I guess :)

Hi had an pip appeal and they had an issue that I was no longer using the nhs stick that I was first given in 1997 (since then I just started using my own bought from amazon as they were better sticks – anti shock, folding, cork handle etc) Had many doc/physio appointments using this stick and never mentioned as an issue
Panel adjourned hearing (my physio report was missing) but in the letter the stated – we have an issue as he was using a self purchased stick. The doctor on the panel grilled me about it – where did I buy it – how often did I change the rubber tips (ferals as the doc informed me they are called )
So if like me you are not using your nhs stick prob best to get one again if apealing IMHO
I am of course asking for advice about this
Any othe person had this issue of using self purchased stick bcome up in PIP?

Thanks ps first post 

Replies
Pip is a benefit to help people with the extra costs of having a long term disability.
I would believe that a self purchased walking stick would fall into this category.Especially if it is more comfortable to use than the one provided for you by the NHS.
I am copying in @mikehughescq as he probably has more info on this than I do he is a lot better informed than myself on these matters.
Good luck Debsidoo.x
Thanks for sharing this with us, and sorry to hear that you've had these difficulties. I must say, I've not seen anything like this mentioned on the community before but I'm sure there'll be others who can share their own stories. Fingers crossed for the outcome you're hoping for, and do let us know how you get on!
This whole thing about where you got your items from is not as clear cut as many think it is. The simplistic logic of some tribunal members is that if it didn’t come through an official route then it’s something you like rather than need. Legally this is wrong because need is “reasonably need” rather than “medically need”.
However, it is not automatically wrong every time because there are many cases where people choose to use non NHS items for immensely stupid, albeit well-meaning, reasons. For example, the person on NHS crutches who keeps the crutches but would actually have nor needed them at all had they done the physio they were prescribed. The person who uses crutches or a stick wrongly. This latter group is huge but they generally have no idea they’re doing something which is likely prolonging or making worse something which could have been fixed years earlier.
Tribunais taking this apprised ought to at least be asked for a statement of reasons and record of proceedings to see if the justification is coherent but you can’t assume that it automatically will be.
Good luck with your second hearing.
I wear (should) two hearing aids which were supplied by the NHS. I also use a wooden walking stick to help me get about as best I can (never been assessed for one probably because I never asked for one).
What has been said may well be the reason why those two items alone were never accepted by the assessor which I thought at the time was strange.
Having now read this post I can perhaps understand why. A typical wooden walking stick (2 points) is easily bought from most chemists and I agree it could be for 'like' and not 'need'.
Likewise the hearing aids were never noted (2 points). A quick check on ebay and I find a similar set to my Siemens being sold as a pair for under £25.https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hearing-Aid-Portable-In-The-Ear-Invisible-Amplifier-Adjustable-Tone-Digital-UK/273486834614?hash=item3fad15ebb6:g:3eEAAOSw9~5bsDHT:rk:35:pf:0
I can now see why evidence to show that the aids are NHS provided.
Also, whether or not they accept your physio letter is neither here nor there. All that matters is which points you were asking for; why and wyrh what evidence. A physio letter saying you use a stick heavily for a gait doesn’t really say anything about mobility unless it had a lot more detail.
Absoluteky sounds to me like they adjourned because one menber wouldn’t budge on an issue. Odds on it won’t even get discussed in the subsequent hearing.
I pointed out that the 2 sticks tbey sent me home with made load clicking sounds which drove everyone bonkers so they bought me 2 nice sticks that are shaped for my hands ie: arthritis.
The doctor took a liking to 1 and walked about with it.
He did say that most people had sticks that are far too long and some that are too short
Senior online community officer
Senior online community officer