Blue Badge Application

My MIL has one based on age and frailty I'm pretty sure. She can only get around with a walker and doesn't leave the house much. She has Ménière's disease, not sure if that was a factor. She has had one fall with an overnight admission, but had the badge before that.

Your GP can email a copy of her summary or can print one out for you.

I sent a redacted version in support of my mum's application because I wanted to preserve some privacy for her as a local councillor. I only sent the parts relevant to mobility problems. It went through with no problem.

Remember that those assessing it are admin staff, not medical.

@MissMarplesNiece - in my experience you have to be like a stuck record and say 'can't' not 'it's very difficult'. You have to say housebound.

This isn't true. Part of the assessment criteria is being able to walk les than a certain distance, fir whatever reason that may be.

OP the council may ask your DM to go for a face to face assessment if you can't get quite enough evidence to get automatic eligibility.

There is a big difference between councils. One of the questions on the form is 'can you walk (with a mobility aid or not) 20 metres'? If she can't you should get a blue badge. You need to tell them about her falls when trying to walk.

Apply for attendance allowance also if you haven't already.

It took me years to persuade my mum that she was entitled to a blue badge ("I'm not disabled" - she so is!).

She filled in the form (my dad helped, he's 86 and "not disabled" either). I think she listed her significant issues (too many to mention) and the impact on her mobility. I think she also provided her GP's contact details but they weren't contacted.

They arranged to call her, and the badge was issued after that conversation. So hopefully it will be something like that. Presumably it varies a bit according to where you like.

I hope you get it approved quickly OP as your mother is clearly in need of this permit. My DM’s one was renewed without delay , i wrote a full and detailed account explaining her difficulties (heart failure here too with swollen legs). Severe frailty is the issue and frequent falls. I’m relieved todays fall was not too serious. Sending lots of good wishes to you , it’s hard as I well know .

Blue Badge forms are quite a challenge to fill in.

You have to list all the Drs / hospital departments you have seen, all your medications, describe all your conditions and explain how they restrict mobility.
You have to list all your prescriptions and medication.
And any mobility aids etc.

It is also important to complete it as if you are having your hardest day. Not tick off your abilities (are you able to do your household shopping? Tick YES with the silent disclaimer of 'when my daughter carries the bags, opens the car door, drives, manages my money, remembers why we have even come shopping and where we are, and lets me cling on to her arm'. Ask me how I know...)

Did your Mum manage to complete it all?

I had to help my DM renew hers recently.
I listed all her daily medications, her two recent spells in hospital, the aids she has at home to help her move around safely and gave her GP’s surgery details. I also stressed the difficulty she would have in attending medical appointments because of her extreme frailty and inability to walk far .

Whilst i agree with the main part, councils are not "useless". They are underfunded, forced to administer systems laid down by government that they have no capacity to manage, and (for many) close to the brink of insolvency trying to balance social care budgets.

Blue Badges tend to be for people with an actual mecical condition that makes getting around difficult, not just because someone is elderly and has a fall, we couldnt get one for MIL who struggled to walk in her mid 80s. It helps 8f you wre on PIP

OP, ask for a summary of the GP record, they take seconds to print out. I get Blue Badge stuff shoved my way (I’m a social -described) and I usually print oUt the summary and any letters which will help with evidence.

You might be able to print this from the “My GP” app now but not certain. It should t need an SAR .

I’ve had two assessments but my most recent application they asked for my medical records. An email to the GP was all that was needed for pages and pages of records that satisfied the requirements.

Care and Repair dept at local council will help you fill out the request. This is one dept that is very helpful.

Just to add, you don't need a specific form to submit a SAR. If you visit the Information Commissioner's Office (data regulator) they have a template email you can use.

Make a dsar and gp surgery or hospital will provide you with copies of your records. The form should be on the relevant website.

IME they do back down when confronted with medical report.

Most GP surgeries with print off a subject access request form which usually details conditions, medications, GP visits etc.

Not just for a blue badge. They will arrange for an OT assessment for other requirements like bath seats etc that could help with blue badge criteria though (unless your council is better than mine, my mother's, my friend's and my aunty's - all different councils).

Councils are vanishingly useless and will do as little as possible when it comes to supported living (however that looks).

I found it helpful to email them directly

Yes, put in a Subject Access Request to her GP. This is what DM had to do and it was accepted for her Blue Badge. The GP can’t refuse this, it’s a legal right.

OT