Question regarding Homevisit from new memb er

Hi all,

As you can see from the header I am a new member. I am on IB since 1996, when I had an accident at work and was treated wrongly which left me with severe Lower Back Pain to begin with.
The accident occurred when I was working as a Nurse (and NO, I had no compensation at all from the Hospital I worked in. I got Physiotherapy after Bed rest did not help and when that seem to make it worse I was 'asked to leave' which I stupidly did, but its to late for that now. I have tried out various jobs since then but after a shorter or longer time I had to give it up either because I was to often of sick with my back or I was in too much pain to carry on anyway.
At my first visit to my GP this year when my walking became so bad even over no distance at all I have been told for the first time that I would have to come to terms with the idea that I may never work again as even sitting is hurting after a few minutes.
I mainly live now upstairs in one room (not specially adapted but everything I need is in there and it is close to the toilet should I need it)
Anyway, I had my ESA50 and was supposed to have an Medical at one of the ATOS Centres. I managed to turn this now in to a Home Visit as I can not even walk 50meters let alone 15miles to the Centre (OK it would be with public Transport, but even the Bus Stop is too far to walk).
I had to pay £15 for the Fax my Doctor had to send to ATOS in order of being even considered a Home Visit. Can I claim this £15 back?
Also, is there any difference between the Medical in there Centre and at my home?
Are there any particular pitfalls?
As it is my home am I allowed to record the Medical on Audio?
My medication has also been changed since the ESA50 form (From Dyhydrocodeine to Zomorph) and the dosage is slowly being upped till I am comfortable with it (it seems that 3 times a day 4 tablets do it. That is ONLY if I am in a resting position i.e.lying down) I still be unable to walk unaided or without direct severe Pain.
I have not been out of the house since the Beginning of the year when I had a Blood Test (Got there and back with a Taxi) and to see my Doctor once (next visit is beginning of next month) as I always need my wife with me (I would not leave the house without here due to the fear of the pain getting so strong that I would fall PLUS I have to be near a toilet ALL THE TIME as, when I have to go I need here as I otherwise soil myself (I can not twist and move to clean myself, so I need her. At home at least I can wait till she is home (should it happen) and even it is embarrassing no-one else sees it).
I do not get DLA or Carers Allowance (we are looking in to this after the next visit to my GP as he thinks I should get it).
Any help for Monday (the day of the Home Visit) and if I can claim back the £15 from ATOS would be appreciated.
Got plenty of more questions but Monday is the day I have to tackle first (I have to do one thing at a time or I forget half).

Hi Mhambi

Welcome to the forum.

I'm not certain but I doubt you can claim for expenses sending evidence to Atos. You can phone Medical Services to check if you wish.

The same test (Work Capacity Assessment) gets applied regardless of where the medical takes place. One difference is that at a medical centre they use the dreaded LiMA software to produce a computer generated medical report. I believe at home visits the doctor uses a pen and paper.

You can read members experiences of home medicals by searching the forum, or perhaps a member who has experience of a home medical will reply.

Recording medicals has been discussed at length on this forum and you can find a lot of information and people's experiences by searching. I would not put you off recording the medical but bear in mind that if the disability analyst that visits you is aware that the medical is being recorded then he/she will refuse to continue.

If your medication has changed since you wrote your ESA50 and you feel that it is significant then you should inform the disability analyst at your medical.

Good luck for Monday

Derek