Benefits Medical Examinations

How to deal with Benefits medical examinations

NEVER FACE THEM ALONE

This leaflet describes how claimants for disability benefits can deal with the medical examinations by government doctors, which for many claimants are central in deciding whether or not you are entitled to disability benefits.

BEFORE THE EXAMINATION

The examinations are run by Medical Services (MS) which is operated by the private company ATOS on behalf of the Benefits Agency. Before a MS examination your own GP sends info to the Benefits Agency. It is important that this info is as full as possible and states clearly whether or not in their medical opinion you are fit for work at that time and in the forseeable future (at least 6 months ahead).

It is frequently the case that people with a long-term illness gradually minimise in their own minds the effect of their illness on their everyday lives and develop survival strategies to cope on a daily basis in an attempt to lead as normal a life as possible.

This can cause a problem as this habit when taken into a medical examination does not present a true picture of the illness and could be misleading. It might be helpful to discuss the reality of your illness and the limitations it imposes on your life with someone who knows both the illness and yourself well. The reality of your illness is what must be presented to the MS doctor and to the DSS.

If you have a Medical Services examination, either at the MS office or at your home, always have someone accompany you. This is your right. We have often done this. They cannot refuse you this right - if they try then just insist you need someone with you.

To obtain benefits you are legally required to attend this examination, and the information obtained at the examination is used, within a legal framework, to decide on your benefit entitlement - it is therefore vital to make sure your legal rights are protected.

If the date for the examination is not suitable, eg your accompanying person cannot make it on that date, you can get the date changed. If you are unable to travel to the examination you can ask for a home visit instead. If you change the arrangements over the phone write to confirm the changes. You have the right to be seen by a Doctor of the same sex.

Meet the accompanying person beforehand to discuss what's going to happen. Before the examination you should be clear that -

the examination can be halted to allow you to go to the toilet, have a glass of water, take a pill, or if you feel faint or ill. The examination should only proceed if you feel happy to continue.
you should refuse to do anything that hurts or distresses you.
The person accompanying you should take a pen and paper and also a watch. If possible, take a tape recorder. Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, has stated that the taping of medical examinatons can be carried out. Take your medicines, and any aids you use, such as a walking stick or crutches.

You can claim travel expenses for going to the examination - but if you need to take a taxi you must contact the MS beforehand.

AT THE EXAMINATION

You should be aware that the examination begins on entry to the examination centre and does not end until you leave the centre. An evaluation of your medical condition does not only take place when you are in front of the examing doctor, but also potentially on your way into the building, in the waiting room, and on your way out. They could note the length of time you can sit without apparent discomfort, how you pick up your bag, etc..

At the examination the Doctor should

Be courteous and considerate.

Spend some time explaining the purpose of the examination.
ASK if you are willing to be examined.

Ask you and give you time to explain YOUR OWN VIEW of how you are affected by your condition, including how it affects your ability to do day to day tasks like shopping, cooking, cleaning and so on.
The doctor should not attempt to 'manipulate' parts of your body.

During the examination you should

Make sure the Doctor realises the full extent of your illness/ disability, including any other conditions/ illnesses you may have. Remember, unlike your GP, this doctor does not know your medical history.

Describe how you feel on a "bad day", rather than on a "good day".
The person accompanying you should

Write down the name of the Doctor, the place of examination, the time of starting and finishing the examinaion.
Take notes on everything the Doctor and the claimant say, what the Doctor asks the claimant to do, what happens. Especially note any aggressive attitude or manner adopted by the Doctor. Note the exact words spoken.

Intervene and ask for the examination to be halted if the claimant becomes unwell or distressed. The claimant should have a break until they feel well enough to continue.
Object to and stop any attempt by the Doctor to have the claimant do exercises which could injure or distress them. You should have the examination stopped if the claimant is becoming ill or distressed for any reason. If the claimant is not fit to continue then the examination should be postponed until another day.
If the claimant's distress is due to mistreatment by the doctor, stop the interview, then say that you will be making a complaint with a request for an examination at a future date with a different doctor.

Time the length of the examination and any breaks taken (some Doctors have been known to exaggerate the length of time of the examination to make it appear more thorough than it was).
At the end of the examination ask the Doctor to read back their notes, to check the Doctor has made an accurate record. If the Doctor refuses, then note that and what reason he/she gives for refusing. If there seem to be any inaccuracies in the Doctor's notes, check with the claimant, then if necessary ask the Doctor to change their notes. If they refuse then make a note of that, writing down exactly what they said.

AFTER THE EXAMINATION

If the Doctor did anything wrong, then as soon as posible afterwards write a letter of complaint to BAMS and to the DSS - don't wait for the decision to come through. The letter should be signed by both the claimant and the accompanying person. There is more info on making a complaint in the Disability Rights Handbook (Disability Alliance), or contact us.

HOW YOU CAN BE FOUND INCAPABLE OF WORK EVEN IF YOU DON'T SCORE ENOUGH POINTS
 

Even if you don’t score enough points under the personal capability assessment – the medical test to decide if you’re incapable of work – you may still have a chance of being found incapable of work either at claim or appeal stage.  This is because of the little known ‘exceptional circumstances’ rules.

There are a number of these, but probably the most important is regulation 27(b), which states that you will be found incapable of work if:

‘there would be a substantial risk to the mental or physical health of any person if he were found capable of work’’

This regulation could apply to you on physical health or on mental health grounds.

For example, if you experience severe anxiety attacks and might harm yourself or somebody else if placed in a situation you find threatening, then this might be grounds for applying regulation 27(b).

Or you may have a lung condition which is made much worse by stress and, in the past, such situations have led to a serious deterioration in your health and perhaps hospitalisation.  If you would find being found capable of work, having to sign on for Jobseekers Allowance and take part in training or work experience very stressful, then that may be grounds for declaring you incapable of work under the exceptional circumstances regulations. 

However, neither doctors nor decision makers are quick to identify people who might be covered by these clauses.  And very few claimants even know they exist. 

THE BIG PICTURE

The MS Doctor system was set up to save the government money by cuttting the numbers of people getting disability benefits. It is based on disregarding the judgement of the claimant and their own doctor - and instead giving the decision-making power to government doctors who have a remit to stop people getting benefits.

The mistreatment of claimants at MS examinations is happening in the context of the attacks on disability and single parents benefits in the new Welfare Reform Act, and the general drive through the Welfare Reform Act, the New Deal etc. to move closer to a US-type workfare system where claimants are forced to either take any low paid job available or work for an employer in order to receive benefits. This in turn is part of the move to "increase labour market flexibility" - in other words cutting wage costs and increasing company profits.

We encourage and aid claimants organising together, and linking up with workers in employment, to oppose and take action against these government policies. Why should we put up with a system where everything is run for the profit of a rich elite? Why shouldn't society's resources belong to everyone, and be used for people's needs?