Hi everyone, my husband was awarded DLA from tribunal services back in 2011, high mobility and middle care, he was recently awarded standard rates of PIP from the change over from DLA to PIP.. I am sending off the MR tomorrow a whole 8 page 8453 worded document. Using the guide and help I found here...I was wondering if there was anywhere or anything relating how a " nurse " should comment or assess mental health? I note a judge made a statement regrading a physiotherapist in this area. The HP has for the most part ignored mental health and effects of this this in her HP report., where she had mentioned it, in her opinion " did not appear to be stressed or anxious"..any help out there please?
All the staff who do the assessments undergo training including mental health training. The fact is although a lot of people don't like it, part of what they comment on their appearance and whether or not the claimant shows visible signs of distress. Claimants often dispute what is then written, but it is an opinion and if one is challenging it, then it's about offering evidence to counteract what has been said. Whatever you have written in your MR the most important thing is to emphasise the points where you hope to score more points. Although it's right to challenge an opinion of someone not looking distressed when they were - it would make no difference to the award as it is the specific criteria for the questions which counts.
BIS
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