Can anybody out there tell me what training examining doctors get for incapacity benefit medicals.

The doctor who examined my wife has been described to me in a letter from ATOS as, and I quote, 'one trained in the specialisation of disability analysis'.

In reality he was a very old retired GP who, although charming, was I believe not up to the job.

Andrew

AndrewPatrick wrote:

QUOTE:
Can anybody out there tell me what training examining doctors get for incapacity benefit medicals.

The doctor who examined my wife has been described to me in a letter from ATOS as, and I quote, 'one trained in the specialisation of disability analysis'.

In reality he was a very old retired GP who, although charming, was I believe not up to the job.

Andrew

Yes, I can confirm that the examining doctors for IB purposes get up to a maximum of two days training, which culminates in a test of multiple choice questions, relating to the written training material.

If they pass then they can become examining doctors, qualified to carry out IB medical assessments.

If I remember correctly, I read on this site a training guide for EMPs.

Link removed by moderator Closhy see my PM to you.

Having said that, 'very old retired' doesn't sound right as doctors can only work up to the age of 70 - or at least used to only be able to do so when I employed them as locums in the NHS as their BMA insurance is invalidated after that age.

Might be interesting to see what the results of your wife's medical are in the first instance.

Thank you very much for both replies. As to the particular doctor, I am sixty, and he appeared old and doddery to me!

I have posted before concerning my wife's incapacity benefit. Her claim was successful but my complaint is with the review period. My wife is 56 years old and had to retire from work with a major bank after 30 years service. She suffered three leg fractures and was diagnosed with serious osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. After the second fracture she went back to work wearing her full leg brace and walking with a crutch. It was only after the third fracture that everyone involved, employer, GP etc., agreed she could no longer physically cope with work anymore. Retirement was the only option. She has an award for DLA mobility at the higher rate and personal care at the middle rate.

My wife manages to walk with a crutch and leg brace but is in constant danger of further fractures. We saw one of her consultants recently and he was concerned about my wife's bone density vis a vis a possible knee replacement. She is considered to young for a replacement at the moment and in any event does not want anymore trauma to her leg for the time being.

My original query was whether we could appeal the decision to review my wife's IB award after twelve months. The overview was that as her IB decision was positive it couldn't be appealed. In any event my wife is not keen on more hassle. However I did insist in writing that the period be reviewed and complained that the idea my wife's condition would improve was risable.

Some months later I got an answer and the period was extended to eighteen months. The implication is that there is likely to be some improvement in my wife's condition which really is nonsense. I replied voicing my concerns and also I have referred the correspondence to our MP.

I have now had a further reply which contained the gem about the examining doctor being 'one trained in the specialisation of disability analysis'. There is a lot more in the correspondence but the end conclusion is that they consider against all evidence and sense that my wife's condition will improve.

This has been written very quickly as I am bust replying to their letter and referring new correspondence to my MP.

Andrew

Our local GP has expressed concern that everyone of her patients are being put off DLA and the reason being given is the said GPs report. Is there anything specific she should write or are there certain key words she should use.

AndrewPatrick wrote:

QUOTE:
Can anybody out there tell me what training examining doctors get for incapacity benefit medicals.

The doctor who examined my wife has been described to me in a letter from ATOS as, and I quote, 'one trained in the specialisation of disability analysis'.

In reality he was a very old retired GP who, although charming, was I believe not up to the job.

Andrew

The gold standard for doctors carrying out these assessments is the Diploma in Disability Assessment Medicine (DDAM) However, this is not compulsory to become an EMP, indeed last time I checked less than 50% of EMP's had the DDAM.

However, these days, assessments are carried out by what the DWP refer to as 'Disability Analysts' which includes not just doctors of medicine, but also physiotherapists, occupational therapists and nurses.

Personally, I'd prefer any of the above to assess me rather than a doctor of medicine, who tend to be retired GP's. My own GP recently stated to me "these 'doctors' wouldn't get a job in the real world"

I couldn't possibly comment !!