Dla/Esa help

Jima1 wrote:

Hi ouch,

This the link A-Z of Medical Conditions

Some conditions are still in The Disability Handbook but as the last edition of this was printed in 1998, eventually all conditions will be transferred to the A-Z of Medical Conditions in due course.

Hope this helps.

Jim

Hi Jim,

I am pleased that as you posted with the links so that I can now ask you a question which you may be able to answer based on your past

I cannot find my medical conditions listed on any of the links and notice that for some it says,

Decision Makers are advised to discuss with the Departments Medical Services provider if necessary

Please are you able to explain what this procedure means, who they will actually consult and what happens to those of us with conditions not listed due to rareity etc.

Hi,

The DWP's Medical Service provider is ATOS. However, they do not consult with the doctors who carry out medicals for benefits, these matters are discussed with Senior Medical Advisers who are office based.

They should know about rare diseases themselves, and/or consult with even more senior colleagues if necessary.

My wife caught 'autoimmune hepatitis' whilst she was working as a nurse. This a very rare disease, and in her case she never saw a DWP doctor, she was just sent a copy of a report sent to the DWP by a Senior Medical Adviser, which advised that her condition would never improve, but worsen. It added 'I advise that there is unlikely to be a significant change in the present medical condition or the functional effects of the condition in the longer term'

She is now of state pension age but her IB continued until she reached state pension age and she was never required to undergo a PCA due to the severity of her illness.

I don't like posting personal information on the forum, but hope this is of some assurance.

I cannot provide you with any more advice/information online, you need 'face to face' advice from a qualified welfare rights adviser. Some CAB's employ them. If yours doesn't then contact Community Legal Advice

Good luck.

Jim

Thank you for your more than helpful answer.

They should know about rare diseases themselves, and/or consult with even more senior colleagues if necessary.

That actually puts my mind at rest and is the procedure that DVLA followed a few years ago.

I have never had any medicals etc even pca tests as SDA and DLA were all dealt with by the hospital teams and their welfare workers, I just signed where told to.

I am trying to get everything straight in my head before the transfers start onto the ESA plus ensure that all paperwork can be found and has not been shredded over the years. The guides here are tremendous.

Once again thanks for your invaluable help.

Hi all that have answered my post up to now.
Firstly thank you all so much for taking the time to respond it really has been a great help.
I have had a look at the A-Z of illnesses link and that was very helpful. Have also spoken to an advisor on the phone today and they are of the same opinion as yourselves. I have requested copies of the medical and reasons for decision, that should make interesting reading, am also seeing the advisor next week. Looks like the beginning of a long haul but will build a case and see what happens. I will update if/when I have any news. I am assuming that the esa result will be the same as that must be due anytime now. I will probably receive that on Friday 13th, I suppose on the plus side if that is a refusal as well at least I will already have all the paperwork ready for appeal. The funny thing is, if dla send me a copy of the medical fairly quickly, it's possible that I may have that copy before esa have even seen it.
Thank you all again,
Sue