Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
WestKirby
Wirral
TheDWPDecisionMaker CH485HN
PersonalIndependencePayment9
PostHandlingSiteB
Wolverhampton
WV991AG
DearSir/Madam, Wednesday8thFebruary2017
RE:PIPDecision
NINumber:JW592642C
IwriteinresponsetoyourletterinformingmeofyourdecisiontodenymePersonal
IndependencePayment.Idonotagreewiththisandamwritingtoaskfora
mandatoryreconsiderationofyourdecision.
IhavefoundanumberoferrorsandinconsistenciesintheAssessor'sreport,which
werenotwhatIrecalledduringtheassessment.
Firstly,inthereportitstatesthatIcanonlycookacoupleoftimesaweek,whichis
true,andwhilstdoingsoIneedastooltositonandassistancewithchoppingdueto
fatigue,musclepain,anddizziness.Thisshouldhavescoredme2points.Icannot
cooksafelyandreliablyallofthetimeasitwouldcauseanexacerbationof
symptoms.
IthasalsobeennotedthatIforgettotakemyinhalerquitealotandthereforethis
causesanexacerbationofmyasthma,whichiscorrect.MyChronicFatigue
Syndromecausesmeagreatdealofcognitiveproblemsincludinglossofshortterm
memory.HoweverthereportsuggeststhatIhavenoproblemswithmemory,
althoughduringtheassessmentIcouldnotremembercertaindetailssuchasthename
ofthementalhealthteam,andmypartnerhadtoremindme.Ialsoneedassistance
frommymothertoundertaketreatment,forexampletogototheCFSclinic;forthis
partIshouldhavebeenawarded2points.
Iamabletohaveabath,butamunabletogetoutofthebathsafelyallofthetime
withouttheassistanceofahandrail,duetopainandweaknessofthelegs.Ishould
receivepointsforthis.
I also believe that I should have scored 4 points for Engaging with others face to
face.
The report states that I am shy and do not like to be in groups of people because
it makes me anxious. During the assessment my partner recalls that the assessor
asked me if I was ok on numerous occasions and said I seemed anxious.
However, the report also notes that I coped well and was not anxious, agitated or
tense. These inconsistencies in the report show that the HCP is not able to carry out
a reliable assessment and report. I have social anxiety which makes me very tense
when talking to people, and I cannot engage with other people without support from
my partner, who was present with me in the assessment.
In addition to this, I have difficulties with understanding both verbal and written
information, due to cognitive problems caused by my chronic fatigue syndrome. In
fact, during the assessment I had to ask the HCP on a number of occasions what a
certain question meant. I also stated that I have difficulties concentrating when
reading. For these sections I should be awarded 2 points for each.
For the mobility questions, I should have been given 4 and 10 points.
The report recalls that I need support from another person when I have to make an
unfamiliar journey, as I would be panicking and anxious, which is true. I also am
unable to make unfamiliar journeys alone due to difficulties with planning a journey,
caused by my cognitive problems. It also notes that I am able to use taxis and public
transport for journeys that are familiar, however this is not accurate; I actually
stated that I am only able to do this around once a week when absolutely necessary,
and even this causes a great deal of anxiety, fatigue, and pain. Also, using taxis
occasionally is necessary for me, as I cannot walk for long, which I will talk about
next.
The statement She can walk for about two and a half minutes before she has to
stop... for two minutes before she can start again. On a bad day she would not be able
to start again. is simply untrue. For the majority of the time, I am unable to walk for
more than two and a half minutes reliably, safely, and repeatedly, as doing so causes
pain, fatigue and worsening of symptoms due to exertion.
Tosummarise,Ithinkyoushouldseriouslyreconsideryourdecision,asIneedtouse
apersontoaccompanymetotakeunfamiliarjourneys,engagewithothers,andto
undertaketreatment,andalsouseaidswhencookingandgettingoutofthebath.
Ilookforwardtohearingfromyou.
Regards,
GemmaLakin
07972803020