Some of these reports come in different versions. Some have a specific question for the GP...."Has there been any changes that significantly affect your patients physical or mental health since X -( X being date of last assessment)"...GP simply asked to tick yes or no. I have always found a NO tick a strong line of argument at tribunal given that the GP is in the best position to give an opinion on his patients condition and is confirning no change since client last passed the PCA.

However not all IB113s ask this question. WHY????? The form with the question is form IB113(A).

Why are there 2 versions, and how is it decided which one the GP will be sent????

Unfortunately I can only offer you the conspiracy theory that they are designed to ensure that people have too attend medicals. In the last 12 months there as been a shift in my area from the old 3 page IB113 to a single page one that does not allow the GP to put as much detail on as its 3 page predecessor did and there has definetly been an iucrease in claimants recieving IB50 and having to attend medicals when previously they had been exempt . Particular claimants with severe mental illness.Which brings me too an old complaint of mine why are the DWP sending IB113 to GPs when they rarely see my mental health client who have CPNs,Psychologists or Psychiatrists (or all 3). Just having to complete a IB50 is causing them distress problems meeting return deadlines and the thought of medicals simply puts their condition into a downward tailspin.

I think a big part of the reason why the DWP sends IB113's to the GP instead of eg psychiatrists lies with the original application form ie the SC1 (incapacity benefit form). i haven't got a SC1 in front of me, but the page bit goes something like this ie who completes the med certs with a little box, putting the consultants name and address in that box seemed to work wonders.

Having said that we'd have inpatients who had been in the hospital for years ie hospital was the home address on DWP correspondence, being sent IB50'S.

andy