Medical cancelled in waiting room, need to see GP

Hello peeps.

What a flippin' carry on this all is!

After getting myself in a blind panic, after reading through my ESA50 a hundred times, after imagining all the daft questions I might be asked about turning on the radio or doing the washing up, after having got a friend to pick me up and drive me to ATOS HQ and also after arranging for a MIND advocate to be present at my assessment, my medical was cancelled as I sat panicking uncontrollably in the waiting room.

The HCP introduced himself and explained that he had just read the first paragraph of my ESA50 which states that the panic disorder, clinical depression and multitude of other symptoms I endure on a daily basis were probably the result of an encephalopathy and therefore he wasn't qualified to carry out the assessment. A subsequent appointment has now been made for me to be seen by a qualified GP in about three weeks time.

Although I've mentioned this encephalopathy on previous incapacity benefit claims and backed this up with a specialist's letter, I have always been assessed on the basis of the symptoms I experience never on the encephalopathy itself.

I spent ages filling out my ESA50, there were multiple additional sheets, doctor's reports, the specialist's letter etc, so I feel unbelievably frustrated that this form wasn't even glimpsed at before I actually arrived for my medical. My agoraphobia and panic disorder went into overdrive and I got myself into a complete mess trying to cope with it all and now I have to go through it all again. And if they had just read the first paragraph of my form all this could have been avoided.

This aside, I suppose my question to the good people of this forum is regarding the medical I now have in front of me.

How does an assessment by a proper GP vary from one given by a HCP? will I still be asked the same dozy questions about alarm clocks and kettles or will it be more focussed on my actual condition? do you think it would be more advantageous to my claim to see a real doctor as opposed to a pretend one? will the assessment still be conducted using the LIMA software and follow the same anonymous 'computer says no' format?

You see, I simply don't know how to prepare myself for this new ordeal having no knowledege of how a GP would address the assessment process as opposed to a HCP so any info you could sent my way would be greatly, greatly, appreciated.

All the best,

Charlie.

Hi Karma

So ridiculous you couldnt make it up if you tried could you.

Best of luck

Michael

Hi Charlie

I'm afraid an assessment carried out by a Doctor as opposed to a registered nurse will be much the same with regards to the type of questions asked and the use of LiMA. The only real difference is that the Doctor should have a better understanding of your medical conditions, which may make a difference.

I think a HCP's common sense and reasoning is more important then their actual qualifications.

Good luck with your next medical.

Derek

Karma_Train wrote:

Hello peeps.

What a flippin' carry on this all is!

After getting myself in a blind panic, after reading through my ESA50 a hundred times, after imagining all the daft questions I might be asked about turning on the radio or doing the washing up, after having got a friend to pick me up and drive me to ATOS HQ and also after arranging for a MIND advocate to be present at my assessment, my medical was cancelled as I sat panicking uncontrollably in the waiting room.

The HCP introduced himself and explained that he had just read the first paragraph of my ESA50 which states that the panic disorder, clinical depression and multitude of other symptoms I endure on a daily basis were probably the result of an encephalopathy and therefore he wasn't qualified to carry out the assessment. A subsequent appointment has now been made for me to be seen by a qualified GP in about three weeks time.

Although I've mentioned this encephalopathy on previous incapacity benefit claims and backed this up with a specialist's letter, I have always been assessed on the basis of the symptoms I experience never on the encephalopathy itself.

I spent ages filling out my ESA50, there were multiple additional sheets, doctor's reports, the specialist's letter etc, so I feel unbelievably frustrated that this form wasn't even glimpsed at before I actually arrived for my medical. My agoraphobia and panic disorder went into overdrive and I got myself into a complete mess trying to cope with it all and now I have to go through it all again. And if they had just read the first paragraph of my form all this could have been avoided.

This aside, I suppose my question to the good people of this forum is regarding the medical I now have in front of me.

How does an assessment by a proper GP vary from one given by a HCP? will I still be asked the same dozy questions about alarm clocks and kettles or will it be more focussed on my actual condition? do you think it would be more advantageous to my claim to see a real doctor as opposed to a pretend one? will the assessment still be conducted using the LIMA software and follow the same anonymous 'computer says no' format?

You see, I simply don't know how to prepare myself for this new ordeal having no knowledege of how a GP would address the assessment process as opposed to a HCP so any info you could sent my way would be greatly, greatly, appreciated.

All the best,

Charlie.

Hi Charlie,

All the Dr, Nurses, Physio's etc that work for ATOS are classed as HCP's (Health Care Professionals).

There are certain medical conditions where ATOS have to use a Dr, rather than a nurse etc, so I assume yours is one of these conditions.

The Assessment itself, should be much the same as if a nurse etc had carried it out, i.e. the use of the LiMa software programme on the P.C., so therefore your preparation should be of the same ilk as for the cancelled assessment.

The Dr is supposed to be more qualified to assess your limitations resulting from your particular condition, but as I have said, they are all classed as HCP's.

Best of luck

bro58

all nuro problems have to be seen by a dr my bet is the nurse looked the word up, and then worked out it was not something they could deal with