§ 42. Mr. Spencerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what guidance he gives to the medical adjudicating authorities about the assessment of claims for mobility allowances for patients suffering from conditions involving fluctuating conditions.
§ Mr. MajorRevised guidance notes for medical practitioners dealing with mobility allowance claims are in the course of preparation and contain the following information about the assessment of walking ability where a claimant has a fluctuating condition.
201WIntermittent impairment of walkingWhere a claimant's walking ability is only intermittently interrupted because of their physical condition, it is a question of degree and frequency whether this means they can be considered virtually unable to walk throughout any period for which an award might be made. For instance, if a claimant suffers from epilepsy or the effects of renal dialysis, you will need to consider whether the condition and its more continuous effects on walking ability (eg balance impairment, anaemia resulting in excessive tiredness, etc.) are so extreme as to render the claimant virtually unable to walk for most of the time".