Anyone applied for a Blue Badge for Inflammatory Bowel Disease - Crohn's/Colitis?

[KnifeAngel]

I applied under the new rules on 30th August. After 7 weeks I hadn't heard anything so called them. They sent me a form for my healthcare professional. I sent the form to my consultant. He has returned it to me and said he isn't qualified to assess disabilities. He won't fill it in.

I called the Council again and they have said to try my Practice Nurse. I have a call back arranged next week. The receptionist didn't seem very hopeful that the Practice Nurse would do it.

They won't accept my GP filling it in.

Has anyone managed to get a Blue Badge under the new rules?

Hopeful bump.

My practice nurse has also now refused to fill in the form. I don't think these new rules are going to help anyone. Nobody seems to have been made aware of the changes.

What do the Council say you should do next? I know that under the old rules CAB could be very helpful and so are the charities set up to support people with specific conditions, so might an IBD charity be able to help you? Do you have any other healthcare support - OT? Physio?

Sorry if they're stupid questions - I'm not really up on the new rules as my badge sits under the old ones.

Bumping anyway, in the hope that someone else can help.

Thank you. A manager is calling me back. They don't seem to know what to do as I can't get anyone to prove I have Crohn's.

I only see my Consultant and my GP.

The Crohn's and Colitis charity said it will be extremely hard to get with the new rules. I don't think the council's have been given enough information.

Well, to be fair they were also extremely hard to get under the old rules, so no change there I guess.

Do you need proof that you have Crohns or someone to give an assessment of the impact it has on your life? Is that why your consultant said he couldn't do it?

How will having blue badge help you?

Not being provocative, just asking as I have UC and I honestly cant see why I would need a blue badge. A radar key- absolutely.

Also, I wonder if it might be useful to repost in the Health section as there may be more traffic from knowledgeable people there?

They have changed the rules so they are now available to people with hidden disabilities. Being able to park near places will help with the anxiety. When I need to go it is immediately. It is very stressful and has ended up in very embarrassing and upsetting situations.

Yes I need proof of my Crohn's and someone to assess how it affects me.

I agree with Pinky Blue Badges are difficult to get. I applied to renew my sons badge (which he has had for 10 yrs) and I needed to provide more evidence. I think that under the new rules it will become harder - councils arn't going to create more disabled spaces - they will tighten the rules. I think people believe the badges are easy to get - that really isnt the case. However I would go back to the council and ask what you should do - keep asking/ find the right professional /ask why they won't accept the GP until you get a good outcome.

Does the form that you have to your consultant ask questions regarding the impact the condition has on your life or is it just asking them to confirm that you have said condition?

I am a medical secretary in trauma and orthopaedics so, as you can imagine, we get quite a few requests for help with blue badges and disability benefits. Most recently, one of my consultants wrote a 'to whom it may concern' letter outlining their condition and their likely future prognosis. It did not assess their disability as such. Enclosed with the last clinic letter this was sufficient for the council. I suppose every council is different. I might be tempted to have quiet word with your consultants secretary and explain your dilemma. As a secretary I always have a quiet word explaining the situation to the consultant and I find them more understanding when it's more than just a 'can you? Yes or no' type situation. They at indeed not be able to fill in the form, but they may be able to help with some supporting evidence. Hope this helps and good luck!

Excuse the typos!

Do you have an IBD nurse at your hospital? They might be able to fill it in for you? Could you fill out most of the form to make it less of an administrative burden?

I don't know if it's the same everywhere but my council seem quite clueless about the changes.

I will wait and see what the council manager says when she rings back.

I am seeing my consultant next week any way. I will try and have a chat with him. The secretary just sent the form back saying he doesn't fill them in as he isn't disability qualified.

I will see if the secretary will do me a letter saying when I was diagnosed if it will help.

Thank you.

Can you make an appointment with your consultant with the form ready filled and ask them to stamp or sign it? I’m guessing they declined because it takes time to fill in the form, not because they’re disputing that you need the blue badge.

Alternatively you could take your medical notes to a private consultant (via BMI or Bupa) and ask them to do it.

Is there an IBD specialist nurse linked to your consultant?

Have you tried the C&C Facebook page?

The IBD nurse at the hospital has left. I did email her but it bounced back. They haven't replaced her yet.

I contacted the Crohn's and Colitis UK and the lady I spoke to said it would be hard to get a badge.

Hopefully when the council manager calls back she will be of some help.

Watching with interest.
I’d like one for when I’m really unwell and had thought of applying. Sometimes you just can’t stay housebound for months if you’re having a big flare. :(