Universal Credit Work Capability assessment, paper assessment ?

Good evening folks,
Long story, as I am sure many will recognise. I will attempt to shorten the scope to simply ask a plain question.
My health conditions are a complicated in broad range of psychological and physical issues, I am deaf, I have type 2 diabetes, hypertension and other age related issues (I’m 60) anxiety overload

I have been in the LCWRA (support) group before my savings went over the threshold, due to an inheritance, so my claim was closed in June 2023. Fast forward to July 2024, new claim made.
I was originally due a telephone WCA on 16th October 24, this was postponed due to a clerical error.
Rescheduled for 5th November 24, I has asked for appropriate assessment with an assessor familiar with serious psychological disorders, BPD in my case. I am also blessed with a significant amount of spine issues, Tethered Spinal Cord syndrome, lumbar spine and cervical spine degeneration and associated nerve impingements, chronic pain and daily acute pain issues.
More long and complicated descriptions aside.
My phone call on the 5th November, was basically, to inform me that due to evidences I had submitted in the form of Neurological and Psychological reports and a UC113 completed by my GP by hand, a paper assessment had been made and I would not need to have the telephone assessment. I recorded this call and had an advocate present for support.
I’m fully aware that no one can predict what the DWP will decide. Based solely on the information I have given above, I wonder cautiously, how encouraged I should feel.
So, to the plain question; I wonder how encouraging being assessed on medical evidence without any further assessment is, paper assessment by HAAS only?
I’m not expecting a definitive answer as such,
Once my outcome is known, I would like to make a post with a time line, and what I have discovered in regard of UC113 and how these reports are made.
Kindest regards to all,

Nige 60

Hi David. Serco processed my assessment. I will be very happy to make a post of my journey, regardless of outcome.
There is a significant issue with UC113 requested by HAAS/DWP. If a GP fills out the form as is sent to them, rather than a printed report from Patient Access/EMIS, a GP will have access to information that EMIS does not have.
In my case this has been an issue before in 2020 with housing, my psychiatrist intervened with a cogent report that made a huge difference, I was put straight into band 2.
Following a 2nd poor quality report, completely inappropriate in my case and I doubt if I am the only person effected. I would suggest to anyone/everyone to ask for you GP to complete your UC113, it should be free. However if you go as far as to insist your GP completes the UC113, this may incur a admin fee, I can only speculate.
I am sure that using Patient Access/EMIS is easy and convenient for our over worked GP’s and practice admin teams. However, the printed report has a declaration on it “There are no undisclosed conditions and no undisclosed symptoms on this form” The form is electronically signed by the person issuing the UC113.
In my case, this was completely inaccurate and all of my main health issues were entirely accent, until you read the notes of GP appointments. Some of the information is indeed there, but I’m going to refer to this as “the small print” and easily overlooked. The main form declaration of conditions said, “Conditions affecting ability to work; Type 2 diabetes”
No mention of Tethered Spinal Cord, lumbar and cervical disc disease, with significant degeneration at 4 levels of my lumbar and 3 levels of my cervical spine. No mention of my being deaf, no mention of BPD and the various facets of symptoms which are considered as severely effecting daily life. No mention of nerve damage in my legs and arms.
Anxious and agitated over the last 3 months, very dark, has impacted on hypertension, tacicardic on most BP tests, I do mine at home weekly due to some of my medication monitoring requirements.
Very long and complex story short, there is a serious issue with the UC113 and all patients should ask their GP to fill in the form personally or allow admin staff access to all records, they won’t do that.
I feel it is a gapping flaw in the process and I do want to sign post this issue, folks must do their own research and fight their own battles. It does help if we know what to ask of course, there are no silly questions where health is concerned
I have in fact shortened what I would like to say, because we'd be here a while!
Best regards,
Nige

Hi David, the entire report is a function at admin level, that allows a print of the stored date in EMIS patient accounts. The print is a basic colour form that starts with conditions listed and followed by the disclaimer.
Then there are several pages of recent test results, treatments and a prescription list followed by copies of appointment notes, as a shortened version the doctor will later complete or have their secretary complete.
The completed summaries of GP appointments, in my case, are only stored in a GP's personal patient notes, so on the EMIS print out, the entries are an abbreviated version.
So basic terms like BPD appear, but there is no context as to what was discussed at the appointment and as I say, it reads like small print to me.
I have various issues with nerve damage and impingement, again pain is mentioned on this EMIS UC113, but it lacks context and detail.
To be honest, I was shocked and disappointed to discover that the reason much information is missing is that EMIS simply does not contain it. More cogent notes are in my GP’s own patient records. Twice this has had a delaying effect, indeed corrected, nonetheless indicative of very poor record management. I also wonder at the validity of DWP accepting such a poor quality report in anyone case. I want to think, in a positive way, I am not the only person who records are so poorly recorded. It would be horrific to discover this issue is why some claims are rejected, I have been utterly terrified and have made that very clear to my GP and also to the practice admin manager.
They are all very helpful once the issue is brought to light, of they are! My method of coping with this has been to focus on, the journey and not destination and certainly not beyond.
I have been to tribunal in 2016 due to incapacity benefit/ESA changes, I don’t think I would survive it again, certainly my physical issues are significantly more acute daily. The prognosis for Tethered Spinal Cord is a horror story, purely as example. I do get the full rates for both elements of PIP, I simply wish to be judged on the full facts. Then I will focus on outcome, I am in limbo until 26th November when my UC account is due payment
When it comes to my post, once decision is reached, I would be very keen to share this issue. Unfair doesn’t cover it, (please edit if req) piss poor covers it better, I have expressed other emotions too of course.

I'm sorry these are lengthy, but detail and evidence is abundant for many health conditions, diagnosis and prognosis being specifically complex and in truth severity is unknowable in some cases.
Best regards,

Nige