guides.dss.gov.au/guide-social-security-law/3/6/2/10I found this today, Dated 14 May 2014:- Medical & Other Evidence for DSP Some of us may be able to benefit from it.....I think I can.
Cheers bear
Sources of medical evidence
The primary source of medical evidence for DSP is a medical report from a person's treating doctor (1.1.T.160).
Generally people claiming DSP and those DSP recipients whose medical qualification is being reviewed must provide a medical report from their treating doctor (exceptions are outlined below). This report provides information about the person's medical condition(s), and how these impact on their ability to function. The person may also provide additional information about their medical conditions (1.1.M.90) and how these impact on their ability to work.
Medical report - DSP
The medical report for DSP must be completed by the person's treating doctor (exceptions are outlined below).
The medical report should include details of:
•the diagnosis of the person's medical condition(s), including date of onset and whether the diagnosis is confirmed,
•clinical features including history, current symptoms and prognosis,
•past, present and future/planned treatment,
•compliance with treatment,
•impact of condition(s) on ability to function, including whether this impact is long term or temporary and whether the effect of the condition on the person's ability to function is expected to remain unchanged, improve, or deteriorate,
•any supporting information used by the doctor, such as x-rays or pathology results, and
•periods of hospitalisation.
People living in remote areas
JCAs and related decisions must be based on the best available medical evidence.
In the case of people from remote areas who may have limited access to doctors, the medical report may need to be completed by a community nurse, generally based on clinical notes from a GP (the diagnosis must be made by a qualified medical practitioner). In these cases it may be possible for the job capacity assessor to form an opinion regarding the person's medical qualification on the basis of available evidence. This will only apply if the medical condition has been diagnosed, treated and stabilised to the extent that an impairment rating can be assigned.
Explanation
People living in remote areas may have limited access to medical services and may find it difficult to obtain current medical evidence in relation to their condition(s).
Medical report not required in certain circumstances
A medical report is not required where sufficient information is available from other sources. People who are not required to provide a medical report include:
•People with an intellectual disability who have attended a school which provided tailored education for children with disability, or classes within a mainstream school which were tailored to meet their needs, and are able to provide a report from their school which indicates their IQ.
•People who are blind and are able to provide a report from an ophthalmologist, or a report from an optometrist, which is supported by a report from the treating or formerly treating ophthalmologist.
•A child assessed before 1 July 2009 as being a profoundly disabled child (1.1.C.146) whose carer was being paid CP up to the time the child turns 16.
•A person in receipt of a DVA disability pension at special rate (totally and permanently incapacitated (TPI)). The person must provide their special rate decision letter from DVA or give authority for DHS to obtain the relevant payment information from DVA.
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In limited circumstances a claimant's eligibility for DSP may be based on the provisional diagnosis of a mental health condition provided solely by a DHS registered psychologist (see below).