× Members

ESA: GP advice form

More
6 years 5 months ago #198262 by Alicie
ESA: GP advice form was created by Alicie
My husband has been on IB then ESA Support Group since the mid 1990s. He has severe ME. I am now his full-time carer.

We filled in the ESA50 in great detail (the package of form, info, daily diaries etc etc was over 100 pages long), using your excellent guides. Unfortunately, like many with long-term ME, he is 'parked' by the NHS, but self-manages as well as possible. We did not therefore have up-to-date medical info to send.

He hasn't seen a GP for over 5 years, but his GP is still the one who diagnosed him, and is supportive.

Yesterday my husband received an appointment for an assessment. On ringing to change this, the lady in the call centre told me that it was unfortunate that his GP had not responded to their request for information. Apparently GPs are given 10 days to reply to Maximus requests for more information, and then, if no response is received, they have to call the person for a F2F.

My questions are:

1. Do you think the GP was asked for advice as there was nearly enough info to avoid a F2F and they were just seeking up-to-date medical info that we did not have so could not send?

2. If I can persuade his GP to complete the form sent, would it still help avoid a F2F (if it provides info that would support this), even though a F2F date (3 weeks away) is set? (ie if the form is received back by Maximus, will someone review it even if a date for a F2F is set?)

3. Do you have any info on the form the GP is sent?

4. Is there any advice on how the GP should (or should not) fill in the form?

Many thanks.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
6 years 5 months ago - 6 years 5 months ago #198263 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic ESA: GP advice form
Alicie

1. The simplest answer is to ask his GP or at least the Practice, they can tell you whether a request was sent by the DPW.

2. Possibly, but there is no guarantee. They would either need to fill any gaps in the evidence or stipulate that it would be dangerous for your husband to be required to attend a F2F. However, if your husband has not seen their GP for five years it would seem unlikely that he could fulfil either of these options and this may indeed be the reason why no response to the DWP's request was made, assuming it was requested.

3. It will have been an ESA113, see the following

www.gov.uk/government/publications/esa11...thcare-practitioners

4. Ideally you want the GP to address the criteria for the ESA activities, some GPs are prepared to do this, others not.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Last edit: 6 years 5 months ago by Gordon.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Alicie

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
6 years 5 months ago #198452 by Orangeblossom
Replied by Orangeblossom on topic ESA: GP advice form
If it helps any yes the form is online as Gordon linked to, I printed another off and gave to the GP with a note to please fill it in from my notes (had not seen a GP in over a year as well) and also with some notes for them. They do have to state in the form when you last saw a GP though. Maybe you could get a quick appt for husband with the GP so they can say they have seen him recently? Not sure.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
6 years 4 months ago #201312 by Alicie
Replied by Alicie on topic ESA: GP advice form
Over a month on from Maximus telling me that they had returned my husband's file to DWP, as they did no0t need to see him for a f2f, still no news.

I've been trying since 8.15am this morning to get through to DWP for an update, but have hung up after 50 minutes each of the 4 times I have called as the call (inclusive minutes) will then go over an hour and cost a lot of money.

I found several numbers for the DWP and am unsure if the one I am calling is correct as it seems to be multi-purpose rather than just ESA?

Any tips on actually managing to get through - surely I shouldn't have had to spend nearly 4 hours and still not been able speak to someone?

Is it normal to wait this long for a result when there has been no need for a f2f?

Many thanks.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
6 years 4 months ago #201331 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic ESA: GP advice form
Alicie

All I can suggest is that you ring at 8am when the line opens.

There is only one number

ESA Helpline
0345 608 8545 (Open 8AM-6PM. Mon-Fri.)

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: Alicie

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
6 years 4 months ago #201515 by Alicie
Replied by Alicie on topic ESA: GP advice form
After 5 weeks of waiting, I now have a very confusing 6 page letter from DWP which seems to consist of all the possible outcomes following a WCA, which the sender has not edited at all.

I finally got through to the DWP earlier - apparently they had a 'systems failure' at the end of last week that led to inability to contact them by phone.

I was told that following a PBR by Maximus of all the evidence we and the GP sent in, it has been decided that my husband should remain in the Support Group, but only, I was told on the phone, for 18 months. Given that he has been on IB and ESA Support Group for more than 20 years (last two reassessments 2007, 20012, so 5 years each time) and now needs full-time care, and that the submitted evidence was very strong, I find this very odd.

I have requested the ESA85A, and am about to confirm this request in writing.

Is there any other information that I can request while writing this letter that might help me understand why my husband has only been given an 18 month award? We were thinking that he would likely be put in the 'no need to reassess' new category.

Is the length of the award something that can be MR/appealed?

Thanks.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Moderators: GordonGaryBISCatherineWendyKellygreekqueenpeterKatherineSuper UserjimmckChris
We use cookies

We use cookies on our website. Some of them are essential for the operation of the site, while others help us to improve this site and the user experience (tracking cookies). You can decide for yourself whether you want to allow cookies or not. Please note that if you reject them, you may not be able to use all the functionalities of the site.