PIP renewal declined

I just wanted to let you let you know about something that happened today.

I actually managed to get to speak to a DWP representative and have to say he was lovely and helpful. He conveyed his concern about what had happened to me. Although he wasn't a Decision Maker (he had been previously) he did express his feelings that the PIP should have gone through and I at the very least retained my Daily Living Standard. We discussed the DM's rejection letter in detail. He strongly suggests that I pursue and MR.

However, that is not what I want to relay here. This afternoon the copy of the Assessors report arrived. So I now have to get my head around it. But, and this is a BIG but, for me anyway, I culdn't get past the first Page of the PA1, 'Other' Comments box. Once I read this, and noted the names of the Two Assessors who carried out my assessment, everything made sense.

Let me explain; During my Telephone Assessment, the gentleman who led the first 50 minutes of the assessment at one point instructed to do some physical tests. Like a fool, I tried to do them. The result was that later that night my right lower leg was in exruiciating paid, which lasted for four days. Yesterday I managed a telecom with my GP because of the ESA Claim and Fit Note. I told her what happened during the assessment. She said clinically he should not have done this. I believe they should not touch you or expect you to carry out tests if they believe it would harm you in any way. My Assessor turns out to be a Physiotherapist, much the same at the first PIP assessment. The DWP gentleman I spoke with this morning confirmed this.

I won't name the first Assessor (Physiotherapist) or the 2nd more Senior Assessor (Colorectal Nurse) here but what the 'Other' section says, and I quote Mentored Assessment as part of Stage 3 training with (SW,Nurse).

I then decided to check the Physiotherapists professional record. Yes he is registered, but his personal and business profile, quite frankly stinks. And I intend to keep digging.

So, the discomfort I felt throughout the assessment with the Physio now makes complete sense. As for the report itself, if it is as he inputted it, then lord help us.

Thank you for listening.

Should I be concerned that the Assessor was in training?

I have shared my concerns re the way the assessment was carried out, with particular regard to his asking me to do certain exercises, with professional body and also shared links to his FB profile and Linkedin profile. Not good.

Hi Margo, after an email exchange with the wonderful John Pring of Disability News Service, once I recover from the stress and exhaustion of getting our daughter her enhanced-both PIP renewed successfully, I hope to report the nurse assessor to the Nursing and Midwifery Council. The eventual Decision in effect confirms my assertion backed with all the evidence already sent in, that the assessor was wrong in much of what she wrote. I think the more such complaints are made, it can only be for the better. Let's weed out the rogues/incompetents/lackeys. They give the decent ones an unfair bad name. Best wishes, Denby

Denby, that sounds wonderful and I will keep him in mind. I have engaged the services of a specialist and I will be gathering evidence regarding the Assessor including his persona and public profiles which he rather foolishly left wide open for all ad sundry to see. I have reported him to the professional body and have asked IAS for a copy of the recorded session.

May I ask if your daughter was assessed by a Stage Three mentored assessor?

Do they actually ask you to do physical things they can’t see over the phone