Atos Medical Assessments

[doktorjohn]

The government aim to migrate everyone on DLA or Incapacity Benefit over to the new and terribly unfair ESA. It will take a few years, maybe several, but that is the aim.

I myself am expecting to win my appeal for IB but to be migrated, re-assessed and failed again. It's making me ill too and suicide is an option I think of a few times most days.

Sorry to be so pessimistic, I hope they come to their senses but I wouldn't hold my breath.

I agree with your political views.

dj

[loveletter]

Will I have to see any one for a medical.
I get dla lowest rate mobility and income support for my child and me.
I am agoraphobic and can not leave my house at all on my own and even when with some one can not really go very far.

[Danath]

don't get me started on these guys, they are absoloutely disgusting and are clearly being 'marked' on how much money they save the government, anyway to cut a long story short

*long tirade of hatred and abuse towards Atos*

yeah sorry I'm not much help, but jsut another shout out to you to say you aren't alone on this and that their treatment on people with mental health disorders is almost nazi-like

[doktorjohn]

Will I have to see any one for a medical.
I get dla lowest rate mobility and income support for my child and me.
I am agoraphobic and can not leave my house at all on my own and even when with some one can not really go very far.

Hi loveletter,

Some people are assessed at home and some people are allowed to keep their benefits. I use the following website for info and support:-

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk...edits-minimum/

john

[Trixie]

Our social security system, now called The Dept. of Work and Pensions (DWP), is sending everyone that is "on the sick" to a medical assessment run by a company called Atos. I have been to one 3 years before and was deemed too ill to work due to sciatica and stress.

This time my condition is worse but I was told in a letter that I am fit for work and my money has been stopped. The killer is that everything I said at that assessment was reversed; and they are doing this to everyone.

For example I stated my back was hurting (it was and it does) and the Dr said she could see I was in pain and she checked out the mobility of my lower back and it was poor. In the letter it said I had no back problem.

Did I leave work because of stress? Yes. Letter said no. Were my leisure activities affected? Yes. Letter said no. Housework? Yes. Letter said no. And so on for 15 questions out of about 40.

We are scored on a points system and I was robbed of about 20 points due to straight-up lying. I only needed 10 points in my case, people on the newer benefit need 15.

They use software called LiMA and they click boxes and it generates sentences about you. She also typed a lot, although not what I was saying, in fact the opposite.

The next step is to appeal but you have to live on 50 pounds a week until you get there in 9 months. Most people win the appeal but a lot can't handle the appeal because it's too complicated and stressful.

Please post if you have experience of this.

I have been reading a lot about this American company Atos and to be honest they haven't got a very good name at all. It seems that they are a law unto themselves the person who interviews you maybe a doctor or a nurse and may not have mental health experience at all.

As they are being paid by the Government to to this they are obviously going to do their best to get people off benefit no matter if they are fit or not.

This is on their website


All our 1700+ healthcare professionals are fully trained to undertake disability assessments, are registered with the General Medical Council or the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and approved by the Chief Medical Adviser to the DWP.
Our performance is measured each month against key performance indicators that include the quality of medical reports as well as claimant satisfaction.
Through the introduction of the new Employment and Support Allowance, we work closely with the DWP to support its agenda of 'Work for those who can and support for those who cannot'.

[Trixie]

I find this disgusting.





All healthcare professionals (HCP) regardless of primary qualifications are fully trained in Disability Assessment Medicine … A customer may submit evidence from their doctor or specialist, however, unlike the more widely known type of examination, the HCP's assessment is not concerned with diagnosis or decisions about treatment and therefore specialist diagnostic qualifications are unnecessary."

[Pleasant]

Hey Doktor..
crikey!! Had my assessment 10 days ago!! + wow..
Just like Yourself :( all my money stopped + the answers i gave, wernt the ones on the form!
Its like they said the opposite to wat i said :S
They even stopped my housing benefit the same day.. crazy.
+ wats more boggling ... Is my sick note is untill the 22nd october,+ i have a 12yr old son, They didnt even put me on income support!
They just stopped everything..
good job i have medical evidence... Im appealling too x
Best of luck with yours ..

[Gregor]

I have an appointment with these next Monday. I've seen them twice already - been deemed too ill to work on the past occasions. However, they signed me off for only 3 months last time. As i said at the time, i've been ill for 9 years and you expect me to have recovered in 3 months??!

It's ridiculous anyway, the whole process. Last time i went, i asked if there would be anyone medically qualified there - for instance if i became ill (do to my health problems) - and i was told they have First Aid Trained staff! yes, first aid. I was under the impression there would be at least one doctor as i'm being medically assessed!

I do find the whole thing designed to cause as much stress as possible and they really don't care.

[chrisdevelop]

I have recently been to one of the medical for the 3rd time, the 1st and second ones they said I was fit despite all the real medical evidence.

I have gone to appeal twice and won my cases being placed into the support group each time. This 3rd one again they have removed me from the support group, so again I will have to appeal.

I am so fed up with this, the pain and stress of all this is just too much.
I have an appointment to see the Prime Minister about Atos on the 17th, only he can stop this farce for ill people. The examinations are a joke, and its me and others who suffer.

I am looking into taking ATOS to court to expose them in this, for legal reasons, I cannot state here what they are but they are serious. Believe me this will involve barristers, and its not cheap unless a no win no fee or pro bono is availble from a team of soliciters.

I am asking everyone, if they would be prepared to donate towards the cost of a leal team. We will be asking for substantial compensation from ATOS, and if you have a strong case yourself in their wrong doings, then we can do this as a group.

This cannot be allowed to go on anymore the DWP wont do anything, so it needs to come out in court with full TV and paper publicity. They have now pushed me too far, and now its time for them to answer their critics US.
If you would like to help form a group action or would like to donate please let me know. The more people that can help the better not just in donating but in forming a group action. There have already been protests around various ATOS offices, and I will let everyone know what happends at my meeting with the Prime Minister in 2 weeks time.

[doktorjohn]

Hi chrisdevelop

There are a few people I know of trying to bring a case to the courts. I expect you know the Consumer Action Group website, but if you don't here is a link:-

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk...d-Minimum-Wage

You will find support there for sure.

- dj