Just had my PIP Assessment at home.

Wasn't a great experience this time. Firstly, despite having asked to record the assessment, he said he wasn't comfortable with being recorded, so I started to ring Capita and he eventually begrudgingly gave in but he told me even if I spoke to them he wasn't really allowed to do it.

Then he really rushed me. Because I get brain fog and some memory issues he tried saying he could stop the assessment to which I said no. He tried catching me out over and over again. He tried being all matey but if I was trying to work out how often something occurred he would butt in saying several different days and focussing on one thing but talking very quickly and it got me confused.

He started asking if I had thought about suicide and whether I would actually do it.

He didn't say what his occupation was and didn't actually give me his full name.

I don't think I came across very well and he was gone within the hour. Last year the woman was 2 hours. He also was fiddling with his phones. Tried talking me into saying I use the net all the time and play online games.

I phoned Capita after he left and they confirmed I had requested to record the appointment and inform them of a dog being here on 19th July. They had no idea why this had occurred. I also said he rushed off at the end and I didn't get to label the tape. I would have done it before but I wanted to open the tape in front of him.

I am not at all confident of this. My anxiety was bad as I didn't sleep at all last night and had IBS. It's even worse now.

Is this what seems to be happening with these assessments?

Sorry I haven't replied sooner. I have been very stressed these last few days. I definitely wasn't able to express myself clearly enough as he was rushing and stressing me. I also said yes but with conditions relative to my medical ability but he took them as a yes. And the fact he tried to catch me out and did not listen to me has very much upset me.

If this has affected my assessment negatively, is there anything I can do?

Could I ring DWP tomorrow and ask for my report?

Sorry for so many questions.

I telephoned this morning to request my report but was told they have no report or even any confirmation a f2f has even taken place. The guy on the phone told me he had seen these reports taking weeks and weeks to actually come through. He set up a request to get a report sent as soon as it comes in.
Just phoned Capita who have accessed the report. It was sent on 6th August and the girl said she could see it was logged with DWP on 6th August. She even had access to the telephone call notes I had with DWP. She noted I had made a request for the report when it comes in but she couldn't understand it as it is quite clearly logged with DWP.

Anyhow, she confirmed the case has been closed their end and is now in the hands of a decision maker.

Your experience isn't an isolated case I'm afraid.
We had a F2F a few years ago and I can only say the relentless questioning by the HCP wasn't far short of a criminal cross examination! I personally feel that some HCP's are very intimidating then they are your best mate like a good cop bad cop.
I noted she asked one question (going to a place you do or do not know) 9 times throughout the 2 hour interview in different ways which isn't a pleasant experience if you are forgetful and crumble under this type of relentless pressure.
the suicide question was asked so I guess they have a set order of questions on the laptop they bring along to the interview.
Another thing I found most annoying was the fact the HCP asked questions about what consultants were seen and when, Now when you fill out the AR1 form they say they don't need you to send evidence of appointments and consultants.

All in all to anyone else who reads this and are about to have a F2F, Have a copy of your form you sent and all the evidence you sent so you can refer to them if needed.

we got ours coming soon so will replay back to the group