Social Welfare medicals

LegacyUser

My wife who has suffered from depession for the last 9 months from the death of her brother has been called to one of these medical things for disabilty benefit.

She hates doctors and places associated with them. She will only attend if I am allowed to attend with her.

Is this possible?

thanks

worried

Victor

I don't see there being a particular problem with you going along and waiting outside - the doctor will probably want to gauge your wife's reactions without you present. Can I suggest you discuss it with your GP / certifying doctor?

chewy

i don't want to worry you more

but having experienced them first hand for the same reasons, i don't reckon you'll be allowed in but as said sit outside that should enough moral support...

anyway the doctors there aren't qualified for physchiatric assesments... they also we'll only speak to her for about 5 mins and won't really be interested in what she has to say she must not understate her difficulties as most of us tend to do....

don't be surprised if her case is rejected... apparently there so many fraudently claims they say they have to turn down genuine ones too... that what they told me

its be best to see a psychiatrist of some kind if you havn't already and get a letter from them to support the claim and hand that in too

bitter but true

good luck

LegacyUser

Originally posted by chewy
its be best to see a psychiatrist of some kind

A psychiatrist's job is to prescribe medication.

Unfortunately, many GPs also see that as their primary function.

Medication should be a last resort for people suffering from depression in my opinion (speaking from horiffic experience unfortunately)

I would highly recommend looking at some of the alternatives before going down the anti-depressant route, such as exercise, diet / dietary supplements, councelling, psychotherapy, holiday....

Best wishes.

chewy

antimeds is dead right that the path im slowly on but in terms of getting her breathing space .ie getting disability benefit and break from work perhaps and dealing with the beauracy of social welfare i just thought a letter from a shrink would help...

Paddy20

Re: Disability benefit or Allowance ?...

I do not know of any reason why you should not be allowed to be 'in attendance' along with your Wife - at all times - during this standard type interview/medical.

You should be aware that most applicants for this type of benefit are rejected, and it is only when they 'Appeal ' that decision - that they receive justice and their entitlements.

A Psychiatrists letter supporting your wife's application for Disability benefit/ Allowance. Can prove to be of enormous benefit.

Frankly, the system is not just, and the so-called medical is generally a farce.

Be ready to 'Appeal' to the Appeals Officer, of your local Health Board, or Social Welfare if the outcome is negative, and stand up for your own and your wife's entitlements.

Do not become despondent.

Good luck to you both.


N.B. Also click on this link; www.welfare.ie/
and look at ' Disabled benefit, plus Appeals !.

Paddy.

Paddy20

antimeds,

Quote you; " A psychiatrists job is to prescribe medication " end quote.

That statement is utter rubbish. I think I understand where you are coming from, but medication is only usually perscribed after a G.P. or a Psychiatrist has reached a Professional diagnosis of an individual patients psychological condition, and modern anti-depressents can prove to be extremely helpful.

Certainly, there are alternatives as you suggest. However, self diagnosis for depression is not something I would suggest where Professional intervention and advice is obviously needed.

Our man in Havana

Originally posted by Paddy20
Re: Disability benefit or Allowance ?...



Frankly, the system is not just, and the so-called medical is generally a farce.

Be ready to 'Appeal' to the Appeals Officer, of your local Health Board, or Social Welfare if the outcome is negative, and stand up for your own and your wife's entitlements.

If you appeal don't they just send you to a different doctor? Same old story or do you get a hearing as well.

Paddy20

Bond-007,

Quote you; " If you appeal don't they just send you to a different doctor ? same old story or do you get a hearing as well. End of quote/ Question !.

The general mindset particularly amongst 'Disability Allowance' administrators, which are handled by local Health Boards, is in the first instance to simply reject applicants. In the belief that "if they are genuine " they are bound to appeal, and then most are seen by the Chief Medical Officer for a chat. Then the original rejection is generally overturned in favour of the applicant.

Disability Benefit is administered totally and exclusively by the Department of Social Welfare, and they have a much more streamlined humane procedure. Receiving Disability Benefit from the initial application onwards is much simpler and less stressful for the applicant. Sometimes patients are re-called for assessment of their individual depressive illness, apparently to see if the patient has improved and is now capable of employment etc. IMHO this is red tape, as patients who are no longer depressed usually seek employment, or stop claiming that benefit of their own volition.

A "Hearing" would be extremely unusual for patients claiming this type of benefit/allowance. As administrators of both Health Boards and the DSCFA prefer an easy life, and usually continue payment in preferance to trying to prove that a patient is not, or is no longer, suffering from a disabling depressive illness. They tend to be frightened in case the patient subsequently commits suicide, thereby putting the admins careers in jeopardy.

It should be noted. That "Appeals officers" are generally not Doctors but simply pen pushing civil servants, biding their time until they can take index linked early retirement.

What hope justice ?..

N.B. Do not forget the "Guide to Appeals " on www.welfare.ie/

Hope that helps.