Hi all, new here and need advice.

[barry66]

Hi to members , I hope your all doing well in these tough times.

I'm after some advice , any help would be gratefully appreciated.

I've been on the DSP for a number of years and have now just  received a new letter in the post from centrelink asking for a DSP review - medical evidence requirements ( I'm sure you all know what that means) anyway my problem is that my doctor who I've had for over 40 years has retired from practice a few years ago , I've also moved around the state a few times since ,  so have had basically no permanent doctor.

I've just moved to a new area recently and am in the process of getting my medical history transferred to their practice.

I've been told my previous doctor and a surgeon to bear with the pain I have until it becomes unbearable as the condition I have is only done once , they don't do seconds.

My biggest problem with this review is that the doctor I get to see (there are many at this clinic) wont have the full knowledge of my history like my previous doctor had. After 40 years you get to know your patient pretty well. How will a new doctor to me be able to give centrelink a definitive prognosis like I had when I was first accepted for DSP ?

I'm also worried about taking in a 32 page TDR ( which I found on this site) and asking a doctor who knows nothing about me to fill it in , it seems pretty cheeky if you ask me...

Any advice would be most appreciated.

Barry66

    

[Banjo]

Welcome to the forum Barry.

I think that that TDR was offered as an option.

What I would do is see your new doctor and if he is in any doubt as to your condition, and how that it rates in the impairment tables... you must mention them, to refer you to a specialist for a report.
Point out that it's a matter of some urgency.

What's occurred is happening to quite a few people who went on the DSP a few years back, the assessment was different and Centrelink senses easy prey.
It's not the end of the world if they rule you ineligible, there's an appeals system in place that will give you more time to prepare.

[Deleted]

Welcome to the forum Barry. Banjo has covered it for you but now you're here, any questions just ask.
Cheers bear

[krystal]

Welcome Barry.

First thing I would do is ring Centrelink and tell them about the retirement/transfer of doctors and that your medical files are "in transit" and ask for an extension to get the medical information together.

Next I'd look at the current tables to see which ones applies to your condition and which criteria you need to meet.

The TDR can be swapped out for a letter paraphrasing the criteria of the table/s concerned as long as it mentions which specialist verifies the information (and of course attached the specialist documentation).

If you write it yourself, you and your new doctor can just go over it (to make sure you haven't missed anything, make a few changes etc).

Just make sure it also includes the hours you can/can't work/study/train (cover all three so you don't get caught in the fine print).

[barry66]

thanks for the replys Banjo , Bear & krystal , the saga continues...

The doctor I've seen seems ok , now I need to get him to fill in a medical report I downloaded from this site as he had no idea what I was talking about and just told me to send in my surgeons report and that'll be ok for now and if they want to discuss matters further to just give them his phone number...(that aint gonna happen ), I'm going later today to give him the report.

I've also seen the surgeon for one of my conditions , which proved I will eventually need surgery.

The surgeons report states this but he has also put down that I am hesitant to proceed with any surgery at present , my previous doctor and surgeon have both told me to put it off for as long as possible because if I get the surgery and in a few years I wear the joint out they wont do it again and I'll have to suffer as it's expensive and only done once for free via the public health system.

Can I be hesitant on surgery ? I'd prefer to keep doing what I am now to manage the pain and I have a routine I stick to weekly.

kind regards , Barry.

[Banjo]

Include your doctors recommendations that surgery be delayed for as long as possible.