I'm still struggling to get hold of a copy of the LiMA software used for PCA medicals. The DWP have now admitted that they weren't telling the truth when they claimed they couldn't provide a copy because the software belongs to Atos Origin: it belongs to the DWP. You can read more at:

http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/benefits/unspun/25_incompetent_untruth.htm

However, the DWP are still maintaining that LiMA will only run on a mainframe computer and using that as rather curious grounds for refusing disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. Unfortunately the queue at the Information Commissioner's door is already many months long and the Act hasn't been in a year yet.

In the meantime, can anyone help with either of these two things?

Has anyone had a client who had a PCA carried out in their home at which the doctor used a laptop? I'm looking for evidence that there is a laptop version of LiMA which allows the doctor to collect all the evidence without being online at the time. (Of course the doctor could be online whilst using a laptop in a claimant's home, but the lack of connection speed and security make this less likely).

Also, whilst waiting for the Commissioner, we thought we might try to learn more about LiMA by compiling a list of questions likely to be asked by doctors.

We've begun compiling the list at in the forum at:

http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=755

If anyone has any they could add, either there or here, I'd be very grateful.

Many thanks,

Steve

off the top of my head...

do you attend mosque?
do you say prayers?
do you drive?/type of car(automatic or manual gears)
do you use washing machine? (front loaders)

some clients deny telling the doctor that they watch tv, when the report indicates they watch certain types of programmes.

several clients complain of not being allowed to qualify yes/no answers, or add information/explanation.

Hi Steve,

Have you seen CIB 664 2005? In that Commissioner Williams says:

20 A full picture of the guidance to approved doctors can only be obtained by reading the guidance in the Manual with the guidance in the Handbook. The Manual does more than tell approved doctors how to work the LiMA computer programme. Both LiMA and the Manual guide approved doctors in presenting their evidence, and take the public guidance in the Handbook further. Only with the benefit of the Manual’s explanation can one gain a full understanding of the way in which boxes 32 to 56 of an electronic IB85 report are presented. The Handbook contains no mention of this. The Manual should therefore be available to all appeal tribunals that wish to consider it and, to ensure “equality of arms”, to all claimants and representatives.

(emphasis added)