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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.