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PIP Review Form & Main Health Professional Who Knows about My Condition Question
- FSDee*
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2 years 4 days ago #276242 by FSDee*
PIP Review Form & Main Health Professional Who Knows about My Condition Question was created by FSDee*
**This is a bit long but it's my first post & I want to give some background info as well as current situation - I am getting help with writing it, So please bear with me - Thank you **
I have Long Term Mental & Emotional Health Problems that have been diagnosed as Mixed Depressive Disorder by GP for over 15 years now & Anxiety Disorder since 2015-2016 when I had a lot of abuse from family at that time which made me decline drastically. I was then offered another living accommodation in Sept 2019 which I was told was Sheltered housing with independent living, there was on-site staff for few hours daily AND I really needed support & assistance so I moved into it and still live here. However, I don't get the support I require here anymore as services have been cut back ever since 1st lockdown & the old staff left their jobs during 2020. New staff are not on site, in and out quickly & don't really care when they're in & just feel left on my own to cope - This has really made my anxiety and depression condition worse.
I have had a PIP Review Form to send back by 25 February 2023. But I am struggling to answer & complete it as this is the first time I am doing a Review and would like advise on how to answer it - Especially, in view of my current situation the 'Who knows About My Condition/Main Professional' Bit.
I have No Partner/husband, friends or family OR Help/support around me. I am completely isolated and live on my own & struggle daily and do not really go out - am pretty much flat bound & do not talk or have contact with anyone for weeks or months due to high/severe anxiety and this has gotten worse since 2016 but especially due to factors occurring since 2019 -
Explaining this below:
Initially, the Only service I'd been referred to for some help was a Social Prescriber, referred to them by my GP Nurse because of my isolation - This started from Oct 2019 & is Only a 10-15 mins Telephone call Once every 1 &1/2 or 2 months - This continued till middle Dec 2021 when I was discharged from this service as a referral was made in Dec 2021 that didn't amount to anything, And I was then re-referred back to the same Social Prescriber again. These telephone appointments resumed from beginning April 2022 again & I am still currently receiving this service.
In March 2020 I was appointed a Support Worker but then Lockdown set in, so the support didn't happen like I needed. It was on & off, stop & start, mainly just by telephone. This was extremely triggering for my anxiety & worsened my symptoms.
In middle of this, the Support Worker did manage to help me to fill out my first PIP application & was sent off, but it was held up due to covid. Eventually with help and support from Support Worker, I was given a telephone assessment Dec 2020 & was informed Feb 2021 that I was awarded with Enhanced Daily Living PIP.
- During middle 2020, the only Support I had was telephone Support from Support Worker And Psychotherapy sessions which started Oct 2020. The Therapist highlighted that I needed further Trauma therapy & decided to end existing therapy March 2021, so that a rest period could occur before starting the new Trauma Therapy with her again, as she would continue being my therapist for that.
- Unfortunately, just as covid restrictions were easing from March 2021 & I could really receive the proper support from my Support Worker that I needed, especially since I knew I'd be going back into a more intense therapy & I really needed additional support around me through that time, The Support Worker was told he had to discharge me as they only short-term support, even though I'd had broken support. **I was discharged June 2021 by Support Worker**.
- I was completely triggered again and I really struggled & declined further. I had an appointment with my GP beginning July 2021 as my symptoms were really bad i.e. high anxiety/panic, bad depression, dizzy spells, body pain. GP increased the dose of my medication to make stronger at this time & gave me strong pain killers. He advised me to come in for a blood test to check for all symptoms I was having, But I just couldn't manage this on my own so didn't do. He also made a referral to Adult Social Care for help/support for me, BUT this didn't amount to anything eventually as they were only concerned about physical disability, not Mental disability & deemed me not eligible. *This was last time I was in touch with GP i.e. July 2021*
- My Therapist also spoke to me before therapy started about my symptoms & struggles . Trauma therapy started July end 2021 but unfortunately, I really struggled with the Trauma Therapy sessions & had to have the therapy put on hold twice in between (a month at each time) & many times I was not well/ill, had lots of body pains, couldn't engage for session so it was dragging out longer. **However, the Therapist was the only one who Really knew about my condition as she was only one I was speaking to at this time SO from July 2021 to May 2022 - Not the GP - But this therapy has ended now
- Eventually, the Therapist referred me back into for a Support Worker and also referred me for more Mental Health Assessment as she could see i was struggling so much & couldn't cope. Because she'd referred me, she had to discharge me from her therapy which she did May 2022. I had not had any contact with my GP during this, as my mental health was suffering & I was unable to engage - I just couldn't do it. The only thing I managed at this time was a telephone appointment with a Physiotherapist (Not GP) from the Doctor's surgery on Jan end 2022, because body pains intensifying. I was asked to fill out an online questionnaire & advised to come in for a Blood test. But again, I just could not manage either on my own, so nothing got sorted.
- So, again I was left with NO support/help or therapy & was Waiting on Referrals. I received appointment for Assessment for a Support Worker beginning August 2022 & was told they could provide some interim support whilst I was waiting for a Support Worker. I then received the appointment for Mental Health Assessment/Consultation Mid August - these were a total of 3 assessment appointments from August 2022 to October 2022 which I was helped to go to from the interim support, as I hadn't got a Support Worker yet. I was told from the Mental Health Assessment that I would be placed on waiting list for more Psychotherapy & it will be New Year 2023 before I hear from them.
So, Currently the situation is:
* I still don't have a Support Worker BUT am getting some interim support from them e.g. help to complete this PIP Review Form, attend appointments
* I have had a call to inform me that the 1st Therapy appointment is this Friday - I am being supported to attend this from interim support.
* I am getting Social Prescriber calls only from GP surgery - these are short, few and far between
My Question is:
Since the last contact with GP was July 2021, the only person I've spoken to at the doctors kind of regularly is the Social Prescriber, who is probably a bit more aware of my symptoms, struggles than the GP And because the previous Therapist (who knew much more about me) is No longer seeing me since May 2022 - Should I put the Social Precriber details under the 'Main Professional who knows about your condition' bit?
I have already written on the form. the GP's details who I last saw, but don't know if I should add the Social Prescribers details too as don't know if they qualify as 'Medical Professional' Or How would I explain them on the form Or Where I'd put their details ?
The problem I'm having is the new therapy is only just starting, so that Therapist doesn't know anything about me yet although they would be a Medical Professional ?
Please Can You Advise Me What would be best course of action to take in this instance ?
Thank You
I have Long Term Mental & Emotional Health Problems that have been diagnosed as Mixed Depressive Disorder by GP for over 15 years now & Anxiety Disorder since 2015-2016 when I had a lot of abuse from family at that time which made me decline drastically. I was then offered another living accommodation in Sept 2019 which I was told was Sheltered housing with independent living, there was on-site staff for few hours daily AND I really needed support & assistance so I moved into it and still live here. However, I don't get the support I require here anymore as services have been cut back ever since 1st lockdown & the old staff left their jobs during 2020. New staff are not on site, in and out quickly & don't really care when they're in & just feel left on my own to cope - This has really made my anxiety and depression condition worse.
I have had a PIP Review Form to send back by 25 February 2023. But I am struggling to answer & complete it as this is the first time I am doing a Review and would like advise on how to answer it - Especially, in view of my current situation the 'Who knows About My Condition/Main Professional' Bit.
I have No Partner/husband, friends or family OR Help/support around me. I am completely isolated and live on my own & struggle daily and do not really go out - am pretty much flat bound & do not talk or have contact with anyone for weeks or months due to high/severe anxiety and this has gotten worse since 2016 but especially due to factors occurring since 2019 -
Explaining this below:
Initially, the Only service I'd been referred to for some help was a Social Prescriber, referred to them by my GP Nurse because of my isolation - This started from Oct 2019 & is Only a 10-15 mins Telephone call Once every 1 &1/2 or 2 months - This continued till middle Dec 2021 when I was discharged from this service as a referral was made in Dec 2021 that didn't amount to anything, And I was then re-referred back to the same Social Prescriber again. These telephone appointments resumed from beginning April 2022 again & I am still currently receiving this service.
In March 2020 I was appointed a Support Worker but then Lockdown set in, so the support didn't happen like I needed. It was on & off, stop & start, mainly just by telephone. This was extremely triggering for my anxiety & worsened my symptoms.
In middle of this, the Support Worker did manage to help me to fill out my first PIP application & was sent off, but it was held up due to covid. Eventually with help and support from Support Worker, I was given a telephone assessment Dec 2020 & was informed Feb 2021 that I was awarded with Enhanced Daily Living PIP.
- During middle 2020, the only Support I had was telephone Support from Support Worker And Psychotherapy sessions which started Oct 2020. The Therapist highlighted that I needed further Trauma therapy & decided to end existing therapy March 2021, so that a rest period could occur before starting the new Trauma Therapy with her again, as she would continue being my therapist for that.
- Unfortunately, just as covid restrictions were easing from March 2021 & I could really receive the proper support from my Support Worker that I needed, especially since I knew I'd be going back into a more intense therapy & I really needed additional support around me through that time, The Support Worker was told he had to discharge me as they only short-term support, even though I'd had broken support. **I was discharged June 2021 by Support Worker**.
- I was completely triggered again and I really struggled & declined further. I had an appointment with my GP beginning July 2021 as my symptoms were really bad i.e. high anxiety/panic, bad depression, dizzy spells, body pain. GP increased the dose of my medication to make stronger at this time & gave me strong pain killers. He advised me to come in for a blood test to check for all symptoms I was having, But I just couldn't manage this on my own so didn't do. He also made a referral to Adult Social Care for help/support for me, BUT this didn't amount to anything eventually as they were only concerned about physical disability, not Mental disability & deemed me not eligible. *This was last time I was in touch with GP i.e. July 2021*
- My Therapist also spoke to me before therapy started about my symptoms & struggles . Trauma therapy started July end 2021 but unfortunately, I really struggled with the Trauma Therapy sessions & had to have the therapy put on hold twice in between (a month at each time) & many times I was not well/ill, had lots of body pains, couldn't engage for session so it was dragging out longer. **However, the Therapist was the only one who Really knew about my condition as she was only one I was speaking to at this time SO from July 2021 to May 2022 - Not the GP - But this therapy has ended now
- Eventually, the Therapist referred me back into for a Support Worker and also referred me for more Mental Health Assessment as she could see i was struggling so much & couldn't cope. Because she'd referred me, she had to discharge me from her therapy which she did May 2022. I had not had any contact with my GP during this, as my mental health was suffering & I was unable to engage - I just couldn't do it. The only thing I managed at this time was a telephone appointment with a Physiotherapist (Not GP) from the Doctor's surgery on Jan end 2022, because body pains intensifying. I was asked to fill out an online questionnaire & advised to come in for a Blood test. But again, I just could not manage either on my own, so nothing got sorted.
- So, again I was left with NO support/help or therapy & was Waiting on Referrals. I received appointment for Assessment for a Support Worker beginning August 2022 & was told they could provide some interim support whilst I was waiting for a Support Worker. I then received the appointment for Mental Health Assessment/Consultation Mid August - these were a total of 3 assessment appointments from August 2022 to October 2022 which I was helped to go to from the interim support, as I hadn't got a Support Worker yet. I was told from the Mental Health Assessment that I would be placed on waiting list for more Psychotherapy & it will be New Year 2023 before I hear from them.
So, Currently the situation is:
* I still don't have a Support Worker BUT am getting some interim support from them e.g. help to complete this PIP Review Form, attend appointments
* I have had a call to inform me that the 1st Therapy appointment is this Friday - I am being supported to attend this from interim support.
* I am getting Social Prescriber calls only from GP surgery - these are short, few and far between
My Question is:
Since the last contact with GP was July 2021, the only person I've spoken to at the doctors kind of regularly is the Social Prescriber, who is probably a bit more aware of my symptoms, struggles than the GP And because the previous Therapist (who knew much more about me) is No longer seeing me since May 2022 - Should I put the Social Precriber details under the 'Main Professional who knows about your condition' bit?
I have already written on the form. the GP's details who I last saw, but don't know if I should add the Social Prescribers details too as don't know if they qualify as 'Medical Professional' Or How would I explain them on the form Or Where I'd put their details ?
The problem I'm having is the new therapy is only just starting, so that Therapist doesn't know anything about me yet although they would be a Medical Professional ?
Please Can You Advise Me What would be best course of action to take in this instance ?
Thank You
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- BIS
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2 years 4 days ago #276275 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic PIP Review Form & Main Health Professional Who Knows about My Condition Question
Hi FSDee*
The Social Prescriber is not a medical professional, but I would put them down in the same place as you would your GP - because, as you say they are the person who currently knows your circumstances best. I would then add on a separate sheet or where it asks 'is there anything else you wish to tell us?' about the important role the social prescriber has had.
The therapist is a medical professional - so you can list them and add a note saying when your first appointment is and point out you have yet to establish a relationship with them.
Hope this helps. If you have any further questions - please come back and ask.
BIS
The Social Prescriber is not a medical professional, but I would put them down in the same place as you would your GP - because, as you say they are the person who currently knows your circumstances best. I would then add on a separate sheet or where it asks 'is there anything else you wish to tell us?' about the important role the social prescriber has had.
The therapist is a medical professional - so you can list them and add a note saying when your first appointment is and point out you have yet to establish a relationship with them.
Hope this helps. If you have any further questions - please come back and ask.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- FSDee*
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2 years 3 days ago #276322 by FSDee*
Replied by FSDee* on topic PIP Review Form & Main Health Professional Who Knows about My Condition Question
Thank you for your reply.
But I am unclear with this part below:
'I would then add.......about the important role the social prescriber has had'
How to go about this ? Could you provide any pointers on how or what kind of stuff I should be writing & how best to word it ?
Thank you
But I am unclear with this part below:
'I would then add.......about the important role the social prescriber has had'
How to go about this ? Could you provide any pointers on how or what kind of stuff I should be writing & how best to word it ?
Thank you
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2 years 2 days ago #276347 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic PIP Review Form & Main Health Professional Who Knows about My Condition Question
Hi FSDee*
You've said below that this person has been the person who currently knows you best and the person you have had the most contact with. Just explain what they have done for you. I can't tell you exactly what you might say - because I don't know what you've discussed with them on your short phone calls or if they have offered you advice or assistance in any way. Obviously, it's not the same as seeing someone who is medically trained, but if this person has been a necessary lifeline, then say so. If they have been better than having no one say so. You are also at liberty to say about the limitations of this service, and you are waiting for help from your up-and-coming therapist.
I can't tell you exactly what to write. You can only include what feels right for you, but you said this was the person who has the most knowledge of you.
BIS
You've said below that this person has been the person who currently knows you best and the person you have had the most contact with. Just explain what they have done for you. I can't tell you exactly what you might say - because I don't know what you've discussed with them on your short phone calls or if they have offered you advice or assistance in any way. Obviously, it's not the same as seeing someone who is medically trained, but if this person has been a necessary lifeline, then say so. If they have been better than having no one say so. You are also at liberty to say about the limitations of this service, and you are waiting for help from your up-and-coming therapist.
I can't tell you exactly what to write. You can only include what feels right for you, but you said this was the person who has the most knowledge of you.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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