Assessment for primary medical certificate

Sugarbomb

I have an assessment for a primary medical certificate on Monday and am anxious about it. What will they ask me?

mickmac76

I had an assesment for a primary medical cert but I'm not sure if it would be a normal assesment. I had the doctor call out to my home and he went through my disability in quite a bit of detail. He asked me how each of my limbs were affected by the illness and he asked a few questions about the progression of the disease. Questions about were I was diagnosed and which hospital I attended. There was no physical exam carried out, not sure if that is the norm. The whole thing took maybe 15 minutes and the doctor was polite and professional at all times.

Cream2000

Hi, was wondering how you guys got on with the assessment. Did you get the cert? How did it go?

Sugarbomb

It went fine. Lovely doctor, just asked about diagnosis and prognosis. Lasted about 15 minutes. I had the assessment on a Monday had the cert by Friday.

Cream2000

I had mine today...like you lovely doctor...she said she is recommending I get it but can take 3 weeks?

Cream2000

Hi Sugar, sent you a private message, hope you dont mind.

Sugarbomb

Just replied to you cream.

cath_1

Cream2000 wrote: »

I had mine today...like you lovely doctor...she said she is recommending I get it but can take 3 weeks?

Hi just wondering did it take 3 weeks for your cert to come. My uncle had his assessment the other day & doctor said it would take 3 weeks. T. I. A

Cream2000

Hi cath,

Mine took about 2 weeks after..some ppl got it quicker, guess it depends on how busy your local HSE office is.

mickmac76

Mine took less than a week to arrive. I saw the Dr on a Monday and the cert arrived in the post that Friday.

Fran76

mickmac76 wrote: »

I had an assesment for a primary medical cert but I'm not sure if it would be a normal assesment. I had the doctor call out to my home and he went through my disability in quite a bit of detail. He asked me how each of my limbs were affected by the illness and he asked a few questions about the progression of the disease. Questions about were I was diagnosed and which hospital I attended. There was no physical exam carried out, not sure if that is the norm. The whole thing took maybe 15 minutes and the doctor was polite and professional at all times.

Glad you got the cert, I'm in the process of applying but afraid I'll get rejected, I've fibromyalgia, neurofibromatosis type 1, cervical spinal stenosis, degenerative discs. There are days where I can't even get out of bed, and others I'm okay to do a little, but it always come back on me the pain is unreal. Do you mind me asking what is your reason for getting the cert, pm if you need to looking forward to hearing from you.

mickmac76

I was diagnosed with motor neuron disease in 2015. Don't have much movement left in my arms and I will have to use a wheelchair all the time pretty soon I'd say.

Fran76

mickmac76 wrote: »

I was diagnosed with motor neuron disease in 2015. Don't have much movement left in my arms and I will have to use a wheelchair all the time pretty soon I'd say.

Sorry to hear that, hoping you don't suffer to hard with that.

rene2211

Hi all
My husband sent in an application the end of march, the letter for the assessment is due any day,
My husband has a spinal cord stimulator for cervical pain, he gets unreal spasms & cluster headaches which last weeks... he has other medical problems,
I wonder what his chances are xxxx

skippy2

Dont worry too much they seem to be pretty fair on these things............

rene2211

skippy2 wrote: »

Dont worry too much they seem to be pretty fair on these things............

Thanks for the reply

tony melia

Hi i have been granted a primary medical cert ,but i don,t have a clue about entitlements before i get road tax and fuel allowance do i have to have a specially adapted car ,or will the one i have at the moment which is fine (automatic) do

CHEERS

rene2211

tony melia wrote: »

Hi i have been granted a primary medical cert ,but i don,t have a clue about entitlements before i get road tax and fuel allowance do i have to have a specially adapted car ,or will the one i have at the moment which is fine (automatic) do

CHEERS

That's great you got it were you long waiting to hear about it ?
my husband had his appointment yesterday , car has
To be adapted to get if automatic don't cover it

tony melia

rene2211 wrote: »

That's great you got it were you long waiting to hear about it ?
my husband had his appointment yesterday , car has
To be adapted to get if automatic don't cover it

i have been told different by many people ,some say car has to be adapted other say it dosen,t
including the dealer i purchased it from ,Really in the dark i have tried many sites but they don,t say anything definate

rene2211

tony melia wrote: »

i have been told different by many people ,some say car has to be adapted other say it dosen,t
including the dealer i purchased it from ,Really in the dark i have tried many sites but they don,t say anything definate

http://www.ddai.ie/images/publications/taxreliefscheme.pdf
Tells you everything you need to know here...
it states that Automatic transmission is not regarded as an adaptation, If you can travel in an unadapted vehicle you do not come under scope of scheme , so yes car needs to be adapted to apply ,
Were you long awaiting an answer?

Cream2000

Hi Tony, sent you a PM.

tony melia

rene2211 wrote: »

http://www.ddai.ie/images/publications/taxreliefscheme.pdf
Tells you everything you need to know here...
it states that Automatic transmission is not regarded as an adaptation, If you can travel in an unadapted vehicle you do not come under scope of scheme , so yes car needs to be adapted to apply ,
Were you long awaiting an answer?

only seen dr yesterday and he told me he would recommend it for me and i should hear in a week or two

skippy2

The adaption does not have to be much as long as it is not a standard spec on the car or something that the manufacturer would supply

boardsuser1

Can someone in the know drop me a PM? Have a few questions regarding the PMC and whether or not it can be obtained.

looksee

Mod:

There may be occasions when it is appropriate to ask for PMs, but in general it is better to keep discussion in the open so that if misinformation is given at least others can correct it. The information may also help other people with the same issue, and that is, of course, one of the objectives of a discussion forum.

boardsuser1

looksee wrote: »

Mod:

There may be occasions when it is appropriate to ask for PMs, but in general it is better to keep discussion in the open so that if misinformation is given at least others can correct it. The information may also help other people with the same issue, and that is, of course, one of the objectives of a discussion forum.

That's no problem.

It's in relation to a 5 year old child hence I was asking for a PM.

flutered

i got that cert, i had been refused a few times, i kept trying, the reason i got it according to the dr was so i could change from using a trailer to move my chair around to get a wheelchair accessiable carcar

Horse mad

rene2211 wrote: »

Hi all
My husband sent in an application the end of march, the letter for the assessment is due any day,
My husband has a spinal cord stimulator for cervical pain, he gets unreal spasms & cluster headaches which last weeks... he has other medical problems,
I wonder what his chances are xxxx

Hi Rene,
Did you’re husband get his PMC with the SCS? I’ve been turned down for a PMC. Pre SCS but I believe I too deserve one

Thanks

lulu1

tony melia wrote: »

i have been told different by many people ,some say car has to be adapted other say it dosen,t
including the dealer i purchased it from ,Really in the dark i have tried many sites but they don,t say anything definate

As far as I know even the little ball thing on the steering wheel is classed as an adaption. You will also get your yearly car tax paid and a percentage of your petrol/diseal costs are paid yearly

Horse mad

lulu1 wrote: »

As far as I know even the little ball thing on the steering wheel is classed as an adaption. You will also get your yearly car tax paid and a percentage of your petrol/diseal costs are paid yearly

It’s a very confusing system. I’ve heard of people unaided and stronger leg or arm mobility and power getting this
But then those who need it fight and are refused. Well I’m just confused!!

Where did the assessment take place? Normal local health Centre?

lulu1

Horse mad wrote: »

It’s a very confusing system. I’ve heard of people unaided and stronger leg or arm mobility and power getting this
But then those who need it fight and are refused. Well I’m just confused!!

Where did the assessment take place? Normal local health Centre?

Yes just your local health center and carried out by the chief medical officer

Horse mad

lulu1 wrote: »

Yes just your local health center and carried out by the chief medical officer

I’m going to request an appointment now tku xx

ballybro

Hi ,my Dad has an assessment for the Primary medical cert next week and as I will be bringing him to the appointment I/him are wondering what's involved ,what questions will he be asked ,what will he be asked to do etc.
He is currently in a nursing home.He was diagnosed with Dementia and has associated mobility issues and can only walk a few steps with the aid of a zimmer frame and the assistance/observation of one person due to his risk/fear of falling.
As the place he is attending for the appointment is on a main street with no outside parking and the nearest car park a good 300metre walk there is no way he will be able to walk that distance with the zimmer frame and my assistance.So I am planning on bringing the wheelchair that's in his room with him to the appointment and wheeling him into the appointment in that. Will the doctor doing the assessment think it strange If I don't bring the zimmer frame as well but I can hardly bring both.
On his patient moving and handling plan in the nursing home it states that he needs assistance of one person when walking with the zimmer frame due to risk of falling and that any transfers off unit/other activities should be in a wheelchair.He also has a letter from the assigned GP in the nursing home that states he needs assistance/observation when walking with the zimmer frame and that he needs a wheelchair if he needs to go any distance at all.
I know the decision is down to the doctor carrying out the assessment on the day but would these factors increase his chances of being approved.Thanks

looksee

It sounds as though you will be using the wheelchair exactly as it is intended. I cannot imagine anyone expecting you to carry a zimmer frame and manage a wheelchair at the same time. I have no experience of the primary medical certificate interview, but I cannot see how what you propose would be an issue, especially with the documented doctor's opinion.

lulu1

ballybro wrote: »

Hi ,my Dad has an assessment for the Primary medical cert next week and as I will be bringing him to the appointment I/him are wondering what's involved ,what questions will he be asked ,what will he be asked to do etc.
He is currently in a nursing home.He was diagnosed with Dementia and has associated mobility issues and can only walk a few steps with the aid of a zimmer frame and the assistance/observation of one person due to his risk/fear of falling.
As the place he is attending for the appointment is on a main street with no outside parking and the nearest car park a good 300metre walk there is no way he will be able to walk that distance with the zimmer frame and my assistance.So I am planning on bringing the wheelchair that's in his room with him to the appointment and wheeling him into the appointment in that. Will the doctor doing the assessment think it strange If I don't bring the zimmer frame as well but I can hardly bring both.
On his patient moving and handling plan in the nursing home it states that he needs assistance of one person when walking with the zimmer frame due to risk of falling and that any transfers off unit/other activities should be in a wheelchair.He also has a letter from the assigned GP in the nursing home that states he needs assistance/observation when walking with the zimmer frame and that he needs a wheelchair if he needs to go any distance at all.
I know the decision is down to the doctor carrying out the assessment on the day but would these factors increase his chances of being approved.Thanks

The idea of the pmc is to help people with limited ability get where they want to go. The assessor wont think it strange that you take your father to his appointment in a wheelchair. But what I am wondering if your dad in in a nursing home and suffering from dementia, the assessor might say to himself does this person need a pmc. hope all goes well for you

Goldenquick

I was turned down for a pmc approx 5 years ago. It was at the National Rehab hospital in Dublin. I thought that everyone was referred there to go before a panel. Has that changed now?

I am applying again as my condition has worsened considerably, my GP says on a form that it is indefinite. I saw a surgeon in November who told me it would be too dangerous to operate on me again and that he wouldn't in his opinion do any more, I have had numerous surgeries both in Ireland & the U.K. each one leaving me worse off to the extent that I cannot walk further than the front door and need my wheelchair when going out anywhere.

Can I request that I be seen by the local HSE or is it automatic where you are sent to be assessed?

Thank you.

mickmac76

Sorry to hear about your worsening condition. The application form is sent to your local HSE office and they make the appointment for you in that HSE area so it should be close enough. I got lucky and the doctor came out to my house for the exam. You shouldn't have to wait more than two or three weeks for an appointment I think.

Goldenquick

mickmac76 wrote: »

Sorry to hear about your worsening condition. The application form is sent to your local HSE office and they make the appointment for you in that HSE area so it should be close enough. I got lucky and the doctor came out to my house for the exam. You shouldn't have to wait more than two or three weeks for an appointment I think.

Thank you very much for your reply.

The last time, after filling in the application for PMC, I had to attend a Doctor at my local hospital with a statement, it was very intimidating tbh and I left there very upset. That Doctor sent my statement & application to the NRH and I had to go before a panel of Doctors. One of whom was very sympathetic to my condition but the other two not very forthcoming, it really is stressing me out thinking about going through it all again.

Hopefully this has changed.