What is a healthcare professional?
In the context of ESA, a healthcare professional is a healthcare worker employed by an organisation called HAAS to carry out medical assessments for the DWP. This includes the work capability assessment, the medical test for ESA.
So, is a healthcare professional a doctor then?
The healthcare professional may be a nurse, occupational therapist, paramedic or physiotherapist.
Will the healthcare professional have specialist knowledge of my condition?
No, almost certainly not. As well as their professional qualification, the assessor will have had additional general training in disability assessment and the tests involved in ESA work capability assessments.
What do I need to tell the healthcare professional?
You need to tell the healthcare professional how your condition affects you when performing different tasks, including any pain or tiredness you feel. As well as asking you specific questions, the healthcare professional will be observing you all the time.
What happens if I do not go to see the healthcare professional?
Unless you can show good cause for not going to see the healthcare professional, you could lose your ESA. You may, for example, have been too ill to attend. If this is the case, you need to let the DWP know the reason for your non-attendance as soon as you are able.
