Just back from ESA medical

Hi Pennie,

I would beware of a nice doctor as it seems(my impression)that they do that to win your confidence and relax.They also tend to write things you have not said(polite way of saying lies).So I would wait for the results to come through.
I cannot squat either.It is a no no as my knees would never bend that much.
Take care
Elizabeth

Hi Pennie

I had my ESA medical back in July, and yes I was granted ESA with limited capability for work which means I need to see a support worker to look at ways to improve my condition which may bring about employment in the future. I was "signed off sick" by the ESA medical doctor for a year - this is when they want another medical done.

My advice would be to request a copy of the medical report (you are entitle to this). I did although I didnt receive it until the end of October!.

When I read the report I was horrified!. Although I had been happy with the decision by the DWP, and I found the bits of the report the doctor had handwritten to be correct, the tick box sections were completely incorrect. e.g. following the physical examination the doctor had written a very accurate report and ended by saying that my poor mobility makes walking and standing very difficult. He had also written customer has difficulty standing for more than three minutes Yet he ticked a box to say I could stand for 30 minutes without sitting down!!! what a complete joke,I cant remember when I last could stand for 30 minutes!!!. In addition even though he had written I had difficulty walking (and that is with two sticks) and had witnessed me having to stop after 10 yards when he accompanied me from the waiting room to the consulting room, he ticked the box saying I could walk 100 yards without stopping!!!!!.

Now although despite the errors I have been granted ESA, however I also receive DLA and those errors could now affect my DLA which is up for review soon. I also feel very strongly that after answering their questionnaire truthfully saying how limited I am in standing and walking, their errors indicate I am telling lies. Having worked from age 16 to last year I am 54 when I lost my job due to the length of time I had been sick due to RA I feel angy that our government does not seem to be monitoring effectively those carrying out the medicals.

I am now going through the complaints procedure with Athos healthcare which is proving to be time consuming and difficult.

lizzie

Hiya
I had my ESA medical last Sept and got turned down. I requested a copy of the medical and even though I proved I couldn't squat in the medical the 'doctor' said I could!! I appealed and that got turned down and now I'm going to appeal again then I'm going to the press. I've already gone to my MP but he wants me to hoop jump til the end of the process.
Its a complete joke. It's not even as if I'm claiming any money as I'm not entitled through lack of NI contributions. I'm 26yrs old, got a Masters Degree and haven't been able to work to the level to contribute therefore I can't claim. I'm now pregnant as the doctors advised it would help my RA (it hasn't!!). I was told that I should have claimed incapacity when I was 16yrs old. Thats great to hear 10yrs down the track!!
The ESA medical was a farce and said that I had no limited capability for work, which my husband reminded me of when I was sobbing into his shoulder yesterday. I was in so much pain and he was helping to dress me but apparently I can do a 37hrs a week!! He made me chuckle.

I hope you get the right decision. Don't be too disappointed if you get turned down. The woman on the phone from DWP said they do it automatically in some cases!

I have also underwent the DLA medical (see previous threads). I was turned down for DLA as 'I can walk 250 metres slowly with a walking aid'. I don't know how they came to this conclusion??

I am in the process of appealing, although I don't hold out much hope. I have requested copies of all the medical reports but who knows when they arrive so I am currently working blind.

If there was only some way we could escalate the issues around this farcical system.

Anne