Social Security Experience Panels: Employment Injury Assistance

Medical Assessment

Almost all the respondents had been requested by DWP to undertake a medical assessment for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.

Experiences of the medical assessment were mixed. Some respondents said the assessment had been straightforward. One respondent said it had been good to talk to a doctor in person and not just rely on filling in a form.

Quote from panel member:

“[It was good] dealing with a doctor in person. Sometimes it’s difficult to formulate words when filling in a form.”

Some said it had been a negative experience. One called the assessment “stressful”. Another respondent said the assessment had made them feel like “an object” and one said they had been made to feel like a “liar”.

One respondent said they had three assessments and the location had not been accessible.

Quote from panel member:

“I had to have three medicals, the building was very difficult to get into with a wheelchair, I was more or less called a liar.”

One respondent said there had been a long wait to arrange the assessment.