The Long and Winding Road. A look at applications for disability grants in South Africa

Abstract

The question of application for disability grants is a subject that was shrouded in mystery at our clinic - everybody professed ignorance and bewilderment with the processes involved and a lack of faith in the system as it is operating. No one knew of any guidelines, so by using a specific patient as a poiguant example, I have tried to explore the processes involved and the guidelines that exist for the approval of applications. The wilder implications of a disability grant request for the patient and the doctor-patient relationship are also briefly discussed. It is hoped that the following will be of use to GPs who are required to take part in the process of application for a disability grant on behalf of their patients.