What a consultation should cover

A consultation is a discussion between a practitioner and the client.

The practitioner should only discuss the areas identified by the case manager in advance of the consultation unless directed otherwise by the client. A record of the consultation should be made by the practitioner. This is called a consultation report.

The consultation may focus on at least one of the activities which are used to make a decision on eligibility and entitlement. The activities relate to either the client’s daily living or their mobility.

Each activity contains a series of descriptors. Descriptors describe the level of ability associated with the activity. The consultation report will provide advice relating to client ability within the relevant activity.

The consultation may also cover the client’s:

• social history
• medical history
• medication

The client may use the consultation to introduce new information that is relevant to their application. This should be recorded in the consultation report.

During the consultation the practitioner may observe something that is relevant to the application This is called an informal observation. When this happens, the practitioner must discuss with the client what they have observed and any conclusions they have reached as a result. Both the observation and any response provided by the client must be recorded in the consultation report . Anything observed:

• before,
• after,
• or outside

of the consultation should not be considered or recorded by the practitioner.