unusual telephone calls.

Hi all.

Has the DWP started to use the telephone to gain knowledge of you when you have a DLA claim in force, to cut through the medical records route?

I had a call from a man in the cardio-vascular team of a hospital a couple of weeks ago who asked how my wounds were healing in my sternum and leg after my heart operation (which was 28months ago).

He then proceeded to ask the following questions; What medication and dosage I was using,(would have thought he would be able to access this info.
If I went out with family and friends.
If I walked anywhere.
If I walked upstairs.
If I had been on holiday.
If I had been to a G.P or hospital recently.(would be able to access this).

When I told him only one of the wounds had healed properly, he told me to see my doctor.
These just seem to be unusual questions after such a long period of time.
I asked his name and he told me.
Days later, I phoned the hospital and asked for him by name (including the department he worked in), and spoke to him. I informed him I had forgotten to mention one of the medications I was using. At least I know that he was a bone-fide employee of the hospital, but could the hospital have been sent a questionnaire from the DWP?

Yesterday, I had a call from some-one a t my local council to answer questions about "green issues" concerning my "organisation". When I queried the term, she said "your business".(I had my own business for years).
I replied that I don't trade anymore since having had three heart attacks in the past four years. She didn't ask any more questions.

I am I being paranoid?

If I end up in a tribunal, would it be more beneficial to take on a solicitor who specializes in benefits,(who wouldn't be intimidated by the judge), rather than the CAD?

Hi,

I don't think I can answer your questions re the hospital or the council - these may have been standard calls.

But re a solicitor: you will struggle to find a solicitor who has a fraction of the knowledge about benefits that a welfare rights worker has. You will also struggle to find a solicitor who does not cost an enormous amount of money to go to appeal with you.

Unfortunately, having said that, finding a welfare rights worker to go to an appeal with you is very difficult nowadays too.

Steve

I would search the CLA website as I managed to find a solicitor that has a cab outreach service within the solicitors practice and I am having my reclaim done with them both with legal aid.

paul wrote:

Am I being paranoid?

The short answer, Paul, is "quite probably".

(a) if DWP were making calls impersonating other people they'd be taking MASSIVE risks. So the call from the council was almost certainly... a call from the council.

(b) It seems very unlikely a hospital consultant would waste their time doing drudge work for DWP. This was probably a routine 'follow up' aftercare call to see how a patient is faring after major surgery. On the plus side, the info is now in your medical records when you need a supporting letter from your specialist.

So perfectly innocent explanations all round.

But do remember this, Paul: Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean that Cameron & Co aren't out to get you!

The BHF are doing research and long term follow ups on by pass surgery at present the chap from your local hospital could be the one there funding to collect the info

did you get asked to fill in a form at the 6 week or 8 week check up ? he could have even been sitting at the back of the room when you went for your first check up .. if so he will call again in three years time you would/should have sigen a form to take part in research

ps the surgery was by pass was it not ?

dont worry