Laying down at an esa cross examination

I have just got a date with a medical profesional for esa,but i have serious walking problems(they gave me walking directions to travel 12 miles across london)the question is,can i lie down during the interview?
as i cannot sit or stand for any prolonged periods,and especialy after being forced to travel twelve miles on foot!(obviously i will have to take a taxi)
thanks

Gosh, I had thought the same thing: could I ask to lie on the examining table. I will hire a car to take me on a 30-40 minute journey to Neasden so by the time I arrive, maybe wait then sit down again, I will be in a pretty painful state.

Not to mention the journey home. Which of course by then will be a moot point.

But, yes, I too thought ask to lie down...

cmaire

Hi, Pickles

Do not push yourself to do things for the medical that you would not normally do. Especially if it will have consequences for your health. If you know that sitting for the duration of the interview will cause pain or exhaustion, then say so LOUD and CLEAR, and ask to lie down. They will assume that anything you do for the medical is always possible, repeatable, and has no consequences. If that's not true say so (and make a note that you did).

I would recommend (too late in your case) to put on your ESA50- on page 2 under "tell us about any help you would need" - that you need to lie down during the medical and say why. Explain the cost to you if this isn't possible. Then when you arrive, you can say "As i've explained on the form... I need to lie down otherwise..."

Despite putting this on my ESA50, they had not got the couch ready. It was miles away down the far end of the room, at right angles to the desk when the nurse had her computer set up. A ludicrous set up. And I wonder if it WAS a set up in another sense - would I be tempted to help turn the couch round, move it closer? I stood back while my friend helped the nurse do these things. It was noted in the report that I'd stood up for 2 minutes while the couch was moved. Everything you do is noted and assumed to have caused no difficulty.

There's another aspect: When I went for my interview, I was told (a)they were running late by at least half an hour and (b)there was nowhere for me to lie down while I waited. This is a real Catch-22 where you're damned if you do and damned if you don't. If I say I can't cope and leave then my claim gets binned. If I sit for 30 or 45 minutes in the waiting room on a non-supportive chair then that proves I have no problems sitting for long periods.

I got someone to drive me to the interview so I could lie down on the journey. Luckily we'd got a parking space outside, so I just said I'm going to lie down in the car while I wait. I'm not sure what you do if you go by taxi. If you do have to wait any length and it is causing difficulties TELL them. Every few minutes if necessary.

Good luck.
Andy.

If it was me I would lie down on the floor, asking for help to do so and get up again (provided it wouldn't make me worse).

They partly depend on people not wanting to look undignified, but they try their best to take dignity away.

My dignity is within me.

pikelet wrote:

My dignity is within me.

Well said, Pikelet.

That would be an excellent 'motto' for this website!