Telephone assesment with neurological trained staf

Hi all,
Last year I started claiming UC as my work was severley affected by the pandemic. I have not that long ago stopped self employement because I have some serious back problems. Unusually my back problems are mostly at the top of the spine (C6 to T2 roughly speaking). I had the medical questionaire & using your guide I filled it in according to the worse days I have. Spoke to my work coach today & she told me that I will get a telephone assesment with a memeber of staff trained in neurological disorders. I am happy about this as in previous assesments I have been turned down cos i could take a jumper off I do not know when this assesment will be yet as I have been told it's not easy to get somebody properly trained to do an assesment. What I am wondering is, has anybody out there been down this road? Are there any pitfalls (other than the usual) to avoid? I have had back trouble since 2010 & in the past have had 2 major operations, but of late it has become far more serious. Any advice given will be gratefully received. I am glad to say that my work coach has been great, very supportive & full of good advise. Thanks, Anthony

Thanks. Sorry if it takes me a long time to look at messages, it's just so hard sometimes with my health. If I am not in physical pain I just generally feel unwell. I don't mind waiting, as long as I get the right outcome in the end. Just learned today that a referral to local spine health triage at a hospital got lost & did not go through. Been waiting 6 weeks for an appointment already, just to be told it needs sending again!

And I have just been told I will have to wait two to two-and-a-half years for an NHS medical assessment I need. As Catherine says, I hope they now fast track you, spinal problems affect every single aspect of life.
best wishes,
Denby