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Grip - is there a specialist in this in the NHS?
- Blueberry Owl
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8 months 3 weeks ago #288680 by Blueberry Owl
Grip - is there a specialist in this in the NHS? was created by Blueberry Owl
Regarding issues with grip, on my last (and first ever) PIP assessment, I was told that 'I was able to hold things both standing and sitting and that I had no specialist input for grip'.
Is there such a specialist?
How is grip accurately tested for the purpose of PIP, and who would do it? Especially when it varies daily and throughout the day due to pain, numbness or weakness and combinations of all three?
Before I saw and understood the PIP descriptors, I thought I did a pretty good job of explaining (with the form) and to the assessor, how my conditions affected my hands - but on rereading the old report it looks like this was all ignored because apparently I could 'hold things'. (It did not say what things and this was under the Preparing a Meal section).
I still have no specific input for grip - or many other of my issues because they all form part of overall condtion(s) so if I were to itemise every single thing I have a problem with, would DWP then expect a specialist for each of those single things?
Or am I overthinking this?
Is there such a specialist?
How is grip accurately tested for the purpose of PIP, and who would do it? Especially when it varies daily and throughout the day due to pain, numbness or weakness and combinations of all three?
Before I saw and understood the PIP descriptors, I thought I did a pretty good job of explaining (with the form) and to the assessor, how my conditions affected my hands - but on rereading the old report it looks like this was all ignored because apparently I could 'hold things'. (It did not say what things and this was under the Preparing a Meal section).
I still have no specific input for grip - or many other of my issues because they all form part of overall condtion(s) so if I were to itemise every single thing I have a problem with, would DWP then expect a specialist for each of those single things?
Or am I overthinking this?
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- BIS
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8 months 3 weeks ago #288689 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic Grip - is there a specialist in this in the NHS?
Hi Blueberry Owl
There could be any number of specialists who deal with 'grip', including an orthopaedic specialist or a rheumatologist - but I've never seen it written in those terms from the point of PIP. I've been present at a PIP assessment when the assessor tested the claimant's grip by asking them to squeeze their hand. They soon stopped when the person screamed with the effort. I think they are nitpicking. You are the only one who knows the variable nature of your condition. It sounds like you tried to do your best and describe what happens but it's hard to fight against people not understanding or not reading what you've said.
No one can be expected to have specialists for all their medical problems - indeed, many people are discharged once they have decided nothing more can be done. Some assessors understand this - but not all!
BIS
There could be any number of specialists who deal with 'grip', including an orthopaedic specialist or a rheumatologist - but I've never seen it written in those terms from the point of PIP. I've been present at a PIP assessment when the assessor tested the claimant's grip by asking them to squeeze their hand. They soon stopped when the person screamed with the effort. I think they are nitpicking. You are the only one who knows the variable nature of your condition. It sounds like you tried to do your best and describe what happens but it's hard to fight against people not understanding or not reading what you've said.
No one can be expected to have specialists for all their medical problems - indeed, many people are discharged once they have decided nothing more can be done. Some assessors understand this - but not all!
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- Blueberry Owl
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8 months 2 weeks ago #288693 by Blueberry Owl
Replied by Blueberry Owl on topic Grip - is there a specialist in this in the NHS?
Hi BIS and thank you for your reply.
Your comment about people being discharged from specialists is very pertinent to me because I have no ongoing specialist input for one thing which I still suffer with and I can only provide the old medical info from 2017. Nothing has changed medically for me regarding this particular condition so how can this be effectively evidenced NOW? It makes it easy for DPW to sleeve it because there is no up to date medical info otherwise?
Thanks again.
Your comment about people being discharged from specialists is very pertinent to me because I have no ongoing specialist input for one thing which I still suffer with and I can only provide the old medical info from 2017. Nothing has changed medically for me regarding this particular condition so how can this be effectively evidenced NOW? It makes it easy for DPW to sleeve it because there is no up to date medical info otherwise?
Thanks again.
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- Gary
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8 months 2 weeks ago #288695 by Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gary on topic Grip - is there a specialist in this in the NHS?
Hi Blueberry Owl
If your old medical information is still relevant then use it, if your condition has not changed, and you have exhausted all avenues you can only inform DWP that there is no magic pill and you have to live with what you have, and that you are still under supervision.
Often the assessor will state you are not on any pain medication, quite often this turns out to be that the claimant is allergic or has had an adverse reaction to certain types of medication. You need to explain if you cannot take certain types of medication, never assume the assessor will know.
Gary
If your old medical information is still relevant then use it, if your condition has not changed, and you have exhausted all avenues you can only inform DWP that there is no magic pill and you have to live with what you have, and that you are still under supervision.
Often the assessor will state you are not on any pain medication, quite often this turns out to be that the claimant is allergic or has had an adverse reaction to certain types of medication. You need to explain if you cannot take certain types of medication, never assume the assessor will know.
Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- denby
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8 months 2 weeks ago #288727 by denby
Replied by denby on topic Grip - is there a specialist in this in the NHS?
Daughter and I have both benefitted from kindly doctors, who upon discharging the patient as there was nothing further useful they could offer, treatment or medication, confirmed this clearly in the letter back to GP and sent a patient copy. So anyone about to be signed off, please ask the doctor to make this clear for future use.
As to grip, daughter apparently could grip just fine [whole dinners have landed on the floor, coffee jar smashed a mug, etc] because she took a tissue from the box when the assessor made her cry!!!!!
As to grip, daughter apparently could grip just fine [whole dinners have landed on the floor, coffee jar smashed a mug, etc] because she took a tissue from the box when the assessor made her cry!!!!!
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