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Client’s medical assessment in another city
I’m sure this topic was discussed on here a few years back, but I can’t find it- I’m hoping someone might be able to provide a link?
We’ve a client who has a medical assessment in another city. They are physically, mentally & financially unable to do this- someone vulnerable with a learning disability and physical problems whose family is also disabled, who has a PIP assessment which would require £60 in taxi fares, if they could manage the journey.
We are obtaining medical evidence to confirm they can’t manage such a journey alone & hopefully get a local assessment, but I want to see what guidance & criteria are used to determine what is/not “acceptable”?
Thanks in anticipation.
ATOS who do the local assessment provision for Northumberland claimants hold most of their medicals in a different county altogether (there is some low volume of assessments in Ashington - most go to Newcastle, or Gateshead, or the really unlucky ones go down to Sunderland).
The link to ATOS assessments information is here: https://www.mypipassessment.co.uk/your-assessment/overview/ but you need to check whether it is ATOS or CAPITA who do the assessments in your area.
Ultimately it is a decision by the DWP on whether your client had good cause for not attending if they end up not being able to go. The PIP customer service helpline has listened to us in previous cases where ATOS are ignorant of how their set-up is affecting people with disabilities.
Was this the link you wanted but couldnt find?
[ Edited: 7 Mar 2018 at 03:32 pm by NeverSayNo ]https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/390010/response/952208/attach/3/FOI 640 Redgard S FINAL.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1
Maybe start here?
Thanks guys, I knew there was something I’d seen somewhere!
Sorry, not quite sure why that link broke. You need the full thing obviously.
On all the cases I’ve had like this (Salford resident to Liverpool or Sheffield for example) I have been advised that the system pops in the first available slot rather than look at location. A quick phone call brings them to their senses usually (assuming there is a nearer or more accessible venue) although I did have a couple of people who actually did go to Liverpool and Sheffield!