PIP and Diagnosis

[Orangesandlemons77]

I know that PIP is not meant to be about diagnosis but about the difficulties which stem from the problem.

However in the past have had comments when successful with PIP such as 'in the care of specialists' which seemed to be used as in support of the claim.

However with time have been left to manage things with GP support, also have a new condition which has just been diagnosed by the GP.

Should I push for a specialist diagnosis for this I wonder.

I don't think it would add much to helping me as it is basically incurable and managed with pain relief.

I think if I'd been diagnosed with someone incurable, I'd certainly want to see a consultant rather than a GP. Regardless. the GP may be excellent. But not an expert in everything

You need to evidence how you are affected by your conditions not who you see.

Mine (ADP in Scotland) says 'you have told us you cannot do X because of Y which is consistent with a diagnosis of Z. Wow hope the diagnosis itself technically isn't needed, it can be evidence in itself of your management of your condition.

You have a diagnosis and I don't see that a specialist is going to give another one, surely the specialist referral should be based upon need, not PIP form evidence.

You could always consider going private if you feel specialist input is needed for PIP, but your GP had diagnosed and is treating you so if there os no medical need (you don't mention one) for a specialist referral then you shouldn't have one, no.

Pip doesn't even look at diagnoses, if the evidence is there you can't do x, y and z even with a GP saying that they'll take it into account.

You could push for specialist opinion though, as it could actually be something else. I had this happen was told one thing, years later got a specialist opinion and it wasn't what they said it was it was something else and by then the damage was done. So GPs can misdiagnose.

I do have insurance so it wouldn't be a problem getting the referral. The diagnosis is based on something else which I know I have some I am not too concerned about it not being right.

It doesn't seem like it would add much to PIP then.

The GP has had them write to him in the past with a form but that was for ESA not PIP.

he said then if I want in future they can easily print me off a copy of my conditions and recent consultations which I can use for a PIP referral (mine is up next year)

I'm a bit concerned this new condition might be seen as a 'change in circumstances' and then used to help them take me off PIP (kniwing what they can be like from previous reviews and appeals) but I will just have to cross that bridge when I come to it.

A change in circumstances is generally something you would submit to show your care/mobility needs has worsened otherwise nothing will happen until your renewal/review.

If your circumstances have worsened then start preparing your evidence, takes notes every time you do something or have adjustments or accommodations made for you. If they haven't then do nothing. A new diagnosis doesn't always mean more points for any of the criteria. Look carefully at then and work out where you think you should score then work towards the evidence.

Thinking back I think the way the consultants letters were useful were when they stated how the condition was affecting you.

For example, someone with MS neurology consultant stated they now could not walk at all

Or with MH problems, stating the husband had to help a lot with everyday tasks as the patient was not able to do them at present.