Inappropriate HCP assessments for PIP?

I am currently assisting 2 clients who have been refused PIP.  In both cases they were assessed by a paramedic/first responder working for Capita.  Both clients had complex and multiple physical and mental health conditions and a paramedic’s assessment hardly seemed appropriate.

Both cases have gone to appeal.  I will present arguments that the evidence of a paramedic (with due respect) has limited use (much like ESA Commissioners decisions that states that a physiotherapist’s evidence in the case of claimants with mental health issues has ‘no probative value’) but I would be interested in hearing whether other colleagues are experiencing similar issues?

I saw one very early assessment carried out by an Epilepsy Specialist Nurse but since then the majority have been physiotherapists and a small minority have been nurses (regardless of whether condition physical, mental, neurological, cognitive etc.)

I’ve seen an assessment led by a paramedic, and also one where it was a District Nurse Assessor (called in to clear the backlog) who hadn’t heard of CAMHS/CMHT, for a mental health based condition.