PIP's a change of fortune?

onebigvoice
onebigvoice Scope Member Posts: 938 Pioneering
in PIP, DLA, ADP and AA
I went to help a friend have a PIP's assessment today and have to say where credit is due, what a difference.
  Most of my posts have in recent years been a bit, harsh to say the least, at the assessment process and the outcomes that the decision makers have made.
  Hope this is now the NORM when it comes to assessments.  The timing was spot on and when she rang, made the usual statements ( mainly because its from a script that they have to stick to.  She gave her Title and who she worked for as Health Professional and Registered Adult Nurse.  
  AND then stated that if you like I will give you my Full name as it appears on the NMC register and also my Pin Number?  I made a comment on that to which she stated that although she does not practice she is still fully licenced to assess.  
  Being happy to continue the assessment was very professional and I let the claimant answer the questions as it was her assessment and took just over an Hour.
  Just have to wait around 6 to 8 weeks now for the result.
  

Comments

  • StillIRise
    StillIRise Online Community Member Posts: 181 Empowering
    onebigvoice said:
    I went to help a friend have a PIP's assessment today and have to say where credit is due, what a difference.
      Most of my posts have in recent years been a bit, harsh to say the least, at the assessment process and the outcomes that the decision makers have made.
      Hope this is now the NORM when it comes to assessments.  The timing was spot on and when she rang, made the usual statements ( mainly because its from a script that they have to stick to.  She gave her Title and who she worked for as Health Professional and Registered Adult Nurse.  
      AND then stated that if you like I will give you my Full name as it appears on the NMC register and also my Pin Number?  I made a comment on that to which she stated that although she does not practice she is still fully licenced to assess.  
      Being happy to continue the assessment was very professional and I let the claimant answer the questions as it was her assessment and took just over an Hour.
      Just have to wait around 6 to 8 weeks now for the result.
      
    This is really encouraging to hear.  I've had bad experiences with them in the distant past, but in recent years they've been fair and good.  My last two assessments were a phone assessment for PIP, where the nurse was actually very kind and very thorough.  The assessment did take nearly two hours but her final report was fair (not perfect) and I got the PIP Award that I felt was appropriate.  My other recent assessment for UC seems to have been handled very fairly as well.  I spent a lot of time filling in the form and providing detailed additional information about exactly how my conditions affect me and I provided plenty of strong medical evidence.  This resulted in them deciding to do a paper based assessment. 
    The process of filling in the forms is very stressful IMO, but the staff themselves have not behaved unreasonably in my experiences. 
  • Hannah_Alumni
    Hannah_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,866 Championing
    Glad to hear your friend had a good assessment! 
  • onebigvoice
    onebigvoice Scope Member Posts: 938 Pioneering
    Just also to state, that my past experiences have been so hard to get an assessment that actually bares any resemblence to what was said at the assessment being almost impossible.
      They seem to like using up the "20 weeks" to reply by the time the report is written up and sent to the decision maker and the Decision Maker has a look to find you have to go through the MR, FOI to get the report, and then its incomplete.
      But that is then this is now.  Although I have 4 cases still awaiting another decision from last year, I did find this for me a refreshing change.
      All I can say now is if the Decision is made on the facts being asked of the claimant is all I can ask for.
      I have never refused an assessment, since there has to be some sort of assessment to see the level of need for each claimant.  I understand this, what I didn't understand is the tactic's used when information sent to a decision maker is irreputable like Terminal Cancer and the claimant has to wait for the decision?
    ANYWAY, I am going to be the first to admit that if all other assessment from now go the same I can't wait for mine.  OH well mine is in 2029, for admin purposes, but for my BLUE BADGE and Mobility Vehicle its "next March"   

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