If this is your first visit, check out the community guide. You will have to Join us or Sign in before you can post.
Receiving too many notifications? Adjust your notification settings.
Confused about about the assesses report saying because I drive I can get in and out of a bath

Could anyone help me with this I have been turned for pip on the fact that I can drive so I'm a able to get in and out of bath I have serve osteoarthritis in both knees and can't physical get in or out not even to use shower as its over the bath my husband washers helps me he will do my bottom half and I do my top half he helps me Wash my hair I have to sit on a stool at the sink as not able to stand for very long due to serve pain so also not got any points in some other activities can any one help please so stressed
Replies
Scope
If you have a few minutes to spare, we'd appreciate your feedback on our online community.
Scope
Tell us what you think?
Complete our feedback form to help us to improve your community.
i have several illnesses which are all debilitating. Due to fibromyalgia I have very little strength in my fingers, hands and wrists. I drop saucepans, cannot chop veg or open packets and often burn or cut myself so need assistance when preparing food. I shop online and can use a mobile even though I mostly speak into the microphone to write messages/emails or use a mobile phone pen etc. I was awarded 0 points on these descriptors as because I can very occasionally drive my car (with much pain and difficulty) I had no problems with dexterity. It appears that no one knows the difference between gross and fine motor skills. They use a tick box that suits all. Nobody is treated as an individual.
Personally I wouldn't worry about what the legal position is - my assessor didn't follow the 'guidelines' at all and I don't believe that Capita/ DWP are concerned about the law either. I complained about this and just got fobbed off.
Save the legal stuff for tribunal when you will be dealing with someone who knows about the law!
I recorded mine - with consent - and it was still done very poorly.
Capita/ATOS do many things - ALL of them very poorly
In brief - 'cos I've posted this before - various 'mistakes', procedure for the examination bit not followed, very poor interview technique in terms of open/closed questions, assumptions, and the assessor answering her own question. Some things were bizarre and just seemed to be made up.
On the positive side it turned out well in the end, and the majority of claimants have a much better experience...
Say for example a claimant has only 4 daily living activities which are relevant to their circumstances. What would happen if a claimant pro-actively and assertively asks the HCP to confirm they have read in full the details of what has been read in this regard on the PIP form, and discuss that key aspect, as the interpretation thereof is what should justify the number of descriptor points scored.
If the HCP has not adequately read the form (that can be determined by some simple questioning) then the claimant can surely pass them a copy of the relevant sections of the form and make sure it is read there and then.
Yes, this may be a bit assertive, but if HCP's are not reading (or not adequately reading) what's written on the forms and merely relying on the software then that surely cannot be right .
Finally I have a 2 way recording system which I plan to take in to my sister's assessment and record fact that such queries have been raised.
Any thoughts?
I had my F2F at home, and gave the assessor some additional information. It was just under two pages of A4, and the procedure is that the assessor should read this.
I checked the recording - it was about 10 seconds from when I gave the material to her until she gave it back to me.
I've only had one assessment but based on that I wouldn't get too pushy. If I'd tried to get my assessor to follow the correct procedure the assessment would still be going now.
Most assessment seem to be OK. Go with the flow - and if you have problems take it to take it to a tribunal....
As an example:
Report from Spinal unit consultant after having had walking tests on their machine in hospital - 'Carried out two tests, both indicated that the maximum distance in walking was between 10 and 15 metres'. HCP reported that I could walk at least 200 metres!
(a) Assessment report from DWP doctor and notice of decision carried out for a different disability benefit - 'It is clear from the evidence and examination carried out that 'x' has lost considerable mental functionality due to injuries sustained, award to be given is based on a 40% loss of mental capacity'.
(b) 5 page report from Psychiatrist confirming early onset vascular dementia together with acquired damage to frontal lobe giving way to altered personality with violent outbursts'
HCP recorded no mental health issues - did not rock in the chair nor did he dribble.
HCP's do not in many cases accept FE as being relevant it their opinion based on observations is contradictory.
Well it's true.. shouldn't form the basis of a reason to give someone 0 in that descriptor. She even went so far as to say that because I was driving before I had my turn that it was evidence to back up what she put!