A clarification question please about PIP Activity 2 Taking nutrition

Hi Waxwing

I'm not an expert in this area so forgive me if I overly simplify or miss anything important. This was posted on the forum a while ago, can not remember who posted it but I thought it was quite good.

I would think that problems with eating fall into three areas that i’ll label; aversion, ritual and depressive.

Aversion would cover illnesses such as anorexia and bulimia where a claimant won't eat to eat food without supervision or having eaten they have to watched to ensure that they don't try and get rid of it.

Ritual would cover conditions such as OCD and possibly ASD where the claimant may only eat the food if it is presented in a particular manner or maybe the food has to be prepared in particular way or using certain pots and pans, etc.

Depressive would cover claimants who have to be prompted to eat because they don't feel it is worth doing or because they do think they are worthy of the food, they may also eat only when hungry and so do not eat nutritionally.

To be counted as able to eat you need to do so reliably and on the majority of days, if you cannot achieve this then you should score points. Reliably means;

• Safely – in a fashion that is unlikely to cause harm to themselves or to another person.
• To a necessary and appropriate standard – given the nature of the activity.
• Repeatedly – as often as is reasonably required.
• In a timely manner – in a reasonable time period.

You need to explain why you have a problem (e.g. depression)?

How it effects you (I don't eat without being prompted)?

What happens if you don't have support (I won't eat for days)?

When are you effected (every day)? How long are you effected (all day)?

There may be multiple reasons why you have a problem, don't be afraid to mention them all.

I hope this helps but if not come back to the forum and we'll have another go.

Gary

Hi Waxwing,
According to the definitions:
“prompting” means reminding, encouraging or explaining by another person;
PIP is awarded if you have a mental or physical condition that limits your ability to do descriptor activities.
If someone doesn't eat, as you suggest because of stomach issues or pain then Taking Nutrition can provide points. Clearly it is not very healthy for disabled people not to eat hence the reason for including this as a point scoring activity.
In your example the spinal curve, bloatedness and constipation issues would undoubtedly all comprise a physical condition. There is nothing in law that would prevent encouragement reminding etc giving rise to points - it boils down to evidence - do you need to prompt for the majority of days what happens if there is no prompting.? Can the claimant take nutrition safely reliably in a reasonable time and repeatedly across the day as required? If not then prompting is probably required. Also consider the need to have good at a certain time if eg medication has to be taken after food.
This descriptor only requires food and drink to be taken , it doesn't comprise a healthy diet.
I hope this helps.
LL26