New PiP claim

Hi gda

I am not a medical expert and you and your husband know his condition best. Have you looked through our PIP guide and each question and how it might be answered? Is your husband able to have adequate nutrition with his stoma and hernia? You say he cannot change the bag - does it restrict his ability to move, get dress, or wash in the same way that someone without that medical condition would? Does it affect his ability to communicate with others - if there is a danger of the bag filling up in company - does he avoid interactions outside of the house? I have a relative with an enormous hernia and it has implications for the amount of pain, which slows down and restricts movement - also has an effect on what can be eaten - and getting the right amount of nutrition.

I cannot say where else he might score - but have a good look at the questions and you might see there are other issues that you have not thought about mentioning, that you should at least try.

BIS

Hi gdh,
There was a recent case rhatcsaid help to self catheterise would not comprise therapy under descriptor 3. I therefore suspect that changing a stoma bag would not come under 3 either. The rationale is that you are not supposed to gain points under different descriptors for exactly the same disability.
As BIS outlined above, have a think about all of the descriptors, and consider the effect of pain, whether husband can perform the PIP activities In a reasonable time, to an acceptable standard and repeatedly as required across the day. Do you reasonably need help with these activities, do you actually get help? Why do you need the help, maybe this indicates you can't do the activity within time or acceptably. (Reasonable time is no more than twice that of an able bodied person.)
If you analyse any help given, this might show where points could be awarded. Think also of fatigue, breathlessness, this might also indicate not acceptable standard, or inability to repeat etc.
I hope this helps.
LL26