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Disabled people
Medical examination - what it involves
Before your Incapacity Benefit medical examination, it's a good idea to think about how your disability or illness affects your everyday life.
Before the medical examination
To prepare for the medical examination, you might like to think about:
- what everyday tasks you have difficulty with, or are unable to do
- how your illness or disability affects your ability to do the type of work you usually do
- if you can do more on some days than others, what a typical day is like for you
What to bring
The receptionist at the Medical Examination Centre will ask to see some identification to make sure you're the person who has been asked to attend.
Your passport, if you have one, is adequate identification on its own. Otherwise you will be asked to provide three documents which can include your birth certificate, a full driving licence, your life assurance policy and bank statements.
You should also bring any pills or medication you're currently taking and any simple aids and appliances that you use such as glasses or hearing aids.
What happens at the medical examination
The medical examination will involve an interview and sometimes a physical examination, if the doctor feels one is needed.
The examination is likely to be different from what you would expect from your own doctor. The Medical Services doctor's examination is not to diagnose or discuss treatment of your medical condition; it is to assess how your condition affects you and the doctor may not need to carry out a physical examination.
How long will it take?
As a rough guide, you should allow about an hour for your examination. Sometimes medical examinations can be completed in much less time, especially if the doctor is looking at only one specific problem.
The interview
The doctor will normally begin by taking a brief history, covering:
- what you did in your old job, if you had one, including when and why you left
- a brief medical history including details of treatment, medication and any hospital stays
- your domestic situation (who you live with, what type of house you live in and so on)
- how your disability or illness affects your ability to perform everyday tasks
- an outline of a typical day for you
If you're claiming Incapacity Benefit because of a mental health problem or a physical disability that could affect your mental health, the doctor may ask you about:
- ability to cope with pressure
- interaction with other people
- ability to complete tasks
The physical examination
After the interview, the doctor may decide a physical examination would be helpful. They will explain what is involved first and check that you're happy for the examination to go ahead. It's important to tell the doctor if you feel any discomfort. They will not ask you to carry out any action that causes you discomfort.
The doctor's report
The doctor will complete the report (IB 85) after the medical examination. You will not normally see it before it is submitted to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
You can request a copy of the doctor's report from the DWP. They will send it to you by post.
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