Medicals at home

I have received an incapacity benefit form(ib50). I suffer from long term Agoraphobia and have a supportive Gp. On the last occasion this happened i was not sent for a medical examination. Previous to that i had one conducted at home. I have not been in my own Doctors surgery for years so even if i was able to attend a medical centre it would present an entirely contradictory picture of my illness and lifestyle. Have i the right to insist on a home medical on the grounds of my condition.

Also previously ib50 was returned to local dwp office, but this one has to be returned directly to examination centre. Why the change?

Not too sure of whether it's your right to request a home medical perhaps someone more learned can advise.

As far as retuning the IB50 direct to Atos this is now the procedure. The DWP has handed over responsibility of the issuing of IB50s and their receiving and assessment of them.

Atos seem to have guidelines of who to invite to a medical centre, and they are listed in groups. Those with conditions like Tetraplegia, Renal Dialysis, Paraplegic etc are unsuitable to attend, whereas Agoraphobia is in a group where they “tentatively invite you to attend”, whatever that means.. Next to agoraphobia it suggests offering you a taxi… I suppose “tentatively inviting you” means that they are open to persuasion if you have good reason to turn it down.. I would play safe and as your doctor is supportive, get a letter from him saying that you can’t travel due to you condition.

Hi,

You have a 'right' to a home medical if it would not be reasonable to require you to attend a at a medical examination centre.

So, it's one of those rights that is open to interpretation. But as adamant says, medical evidence is by far the best way of persuading Atos to do a home visit.

Good luck,

Steve

Thanks to everyone for their prompt response.