The pinch and power grip test

Beware of these two seemingly innocent HP tests. Being able to maintain a pinch grip or power grip for 5 seconds allows the assessor to make assumptions of your capability in many of the descriptor activities.

How does being able to pinch the assessor for a few seconds mean that you can grip and safely handle pans of hot water?
How do these simple tests mean that you can hold a knife and fork for the duation of eating a meal ?
Is this a reliable indication that you can pick up tiny pills?
Being able to wash and bathe, even with long handled adaptations, requires gripping for more than 5 seconds to do the job properly.
Even if you wait until your pain meds kick in, so the level of pain is manageable, just putting on one sock can take more than 5 seconds. If you need to use an aid, like a gripper, to dress, the sustained grip needed is considerably more than 5 seconds for each item of clothing.

Little or no consideration is given to how these simple tests apply to reality, but can seriously impact on how your capabilities are assessed.

Thanks Gordon
It was something that struck me as I am preparing my wifes appeal

David: Amongst other things, I have arthritis in one of my shoulders and the "pinch and power" test was (mis)used by HP to conclude I had no difficulty - with anything!.

In the MR request, the approach taken was to argue very directly (but simply) that the assessment test was irrelevant to the real world situation of getting in or out of a bath and it was a matter of fact that assistance was needed because of the limitation caused by arthritis (pain / safety). On that specific point, that was the sum of the argument.

For completeness in case this specific point is relevant to you / your wife, it is irrelevant if a claimant can use a shower in the alternative (based on the legislation as it currently stands).

Good luck.