ATOS Medical 2 hours ago!!!

[Cotswold1964]

Hello All, again

 

Further to my recent post, I have now had my medical.

 

I now have a few further questions which have arisen: -

 

Previously I stated that I last filled an ESA50 in nearly a year ago, I was called to the medical a week ago and asked whether they were able to call me without an up to date ESA50, I was informed they were!!!

 

On being seated in the interview room, I was initially asked if I could move around on my own and whether I had a bad back and extremities, I replied that a few aches and pains but generally mobile. I was then asked why I was being assessed or what my problems were, something along those lines!!! I then explained that I suffered with anxiety, depression and I was recovering from alcohol dependency (no alcohol for nearly 2 years).

 

I then felt that the interviewer, who only introduced herself as Ajiz or something like that, no mention of qualification or her position of authority in which she was able to conduct the exam. I felt that she wasn't really asking appropriate questions to my limitations, such as my ability to go out into public places, use public transport and enter social situations. She also didn't really question me in depth about my inappropriate behaviour while interacting with other people!!!

 

Is it up to ATOS and hence DWP to find that I am fit to work through their questioning and my answers, or is it for me to prove my case by blurting out my worst day experiences in an interview when I am not being asked the relevant questions??? My previous medical in January 2010 saw every question imaginable being asked and me answering. I was given 12 points which was later increased to 15 points following my letter challenging their interpretations of my answers (using one of the suggested letters in one of the 'stickys' at that time). Now, with all the questions that I felt were not asked, I cannot really question they're interpretation of my answers!

 

This leads me back to the fact that all my usual life's reactions were clearly listed on my ESA50, though this doesn't seem to have been looked at!!!

 

I saw my GP this morning who wrote a sick note for a month despite me not having had one for nearly 16 months! Can this sick note by a Dr be overridden by an assessor who certainly didn't identify themselves as having a medical qualification!!!

 

I stated quite clearly that I believed, as did my GP, my condition had deteriorated over the last 5 months and that I had been referred back to see a Psychiatrist and my medication doses had been increased!!!

 

Any answers, thoughts or suggestions gratefully received

 

Thanks, Cotswold

[osdset]

Welcome to the world of ATOS assessments.

 

Is it up to ATOS and hence DWP to find that I am fit to work through their questioning and my answers, or is it for me to prove my case by blurting out my worst day experiences in an interview when I am not being asked the relevant questions???

Yep, pretty much.

 

This leads me back to the fact that all my usual life's reactions were clearly listed on my ESA50, though this doesn't seem to have been looked at!!!

ATOS HCP's rarely look at any paperwork submitted.

 

I saw my GP this morning who wrote a sick note for a month despite me not having had one for nearly 16 months! Can this sick note by a Dr be overridden by an assessor who certainly didn't identify themselves as having a medical qualification!!!

Yes, the sick note can and probably will be overridden by the ATOS HCP

[Nystagmite]

I was recovering from alcohol dependency (no alcohol for nearly 2 years).

 

Well done!

[Cotswold1964]

Thanks

[Cotswold1964]

Hello Again

 

It has now been 15 days since I had my medical. There has been no contact from the DWP, I received my ESA on my regular day 4 days after the medical.

 

I remember having no contact from them after I filled in my last ESA50 back in October 2011, I just carried on receiving the benefits...

 

Could I read anything into this, or could I just assume the elusive 'Decision Maker' is away on holiday now that all the children have gone back to school?

[abc123def]

It takes several weeks for the decision maker to make a decision

[osdset]

I waited two months after the WCA for the not unexpected 0 points letter.

[Cotswold1964]

Thanks for the replies.

 

I scored 12 points nearly 2 years ago after the first WCA, increased to 15 points after I pointed out that their interpretations of what I had said were incorrect!

 

The symptoms of my mental health condition have worsened recently, and I am probably less able to work now than 2 years ago. It will be interesting to see if I get 0 points this time around as it will perfectly highlight the failings of this ridiculous system and I shall look forward to passing on my thoughts to my MP.

 

The questions I was asked during the WCA were not related to the latest ESA50 form that I had submitted, so I don't possibly understand how my ability to work can be fairly assessed. They were more interested in whether I could cook a pizza for tea and make my way to their farcical assessment centre!!!

Edited September 22, 2012 by Cotswold1964
Lost thesaurus!!!

[osdset]

The questions I was asked during the WCA were not related to the latest ESA50 form that I had submitted, so I don't possibly understand how my ability to work can be fairly assessed. They were more interested in whether I could cook a pizza for tea and make my way to their farcical assessment centre!!!

 

Yep, because it demonstrates mobility which is one of the most common fails.

[Cotswold1964]

I have never claimed that I am not mobile.

 

I suffer with anxiety, I am not able to go out, I have problems with my thought processes and I am not very good around people, I have a history of getting annoyed etc.

 

Why does being able to make a pizza and travel for 25 minutes in my own car containing my own personal space judge me as being capable of work???

 

If I can breathe am I able to blow up balloons as a profession?

[abc123def]

It might demonstrate to them you could get to a place of work and do some work if there were no people around I suppose.

[dpick]

ATOssers do not seem to understand that physical and mental problems are distinctly different things they seem to believe that if a person can get a cup to their mouth then they are fit to work.

 

dpick

[Cotswold1964]

In a pizza factory to celebrate someone's birthday?

 

These are real life issues we are dealing with here. Would most be capable of sticking one label onto an envelope during a working day?

 

Surely a WCA must apply to what an 'average' person would expect to be capable of holding down some form of job for a reasonable period?

 

I cannot remember if it was an ostrich conducting my own WCA!!!

[Cotswold1964]

I quite agree. They're training process must be quite an experience!!!

[RaeUK]

^^^ did you not see the Despatches under cover film of their training? If you're capable of moving a finger, you're capable of working!

[Astro1]

The only reason i can see why you fill in an ESA50 form is for Atos to decide whether you should go for a medical assessment or not.

 

In the Parliamentary Debate ATOS ESA Chris Grayling said:-

 

"The process that a claimant goes through is that they will be asked to fill in a form that comes to Atos to consider whether they should be put to an assessment or not or whether they should be passported straight through to the benefit. Atos carry out the assessment but the decision of that benefit is taken by a decision maker at the DWP and JCP."

 

You can hear him say it in the debate at about 1.23:39 in the video.

[Nystagmite]

I cannot remember if it was an ostrich conducting my own WCA!!!

 

Please don't insult ostriches in that way!

[della2]

The only reason i can see why you fill in an ESA50 form is for Atos to decide whether you should go for a medical assessment or not.

 

In the Parliamentary Debate ATOS ESA Chris Grayling said:-

 

"The process that a claimant goes through is that they will be asked to fill in a form that comes to Atos to consider whether they should be put to an assessment or not or whether they should be passported straight through to the benefit. Atos carry out the assessment but the decision of that benefit is taken by a decision maker at the DWP and JCP."

 

You can hear him say it in the debate at about 1.23:39 in the video.

 

Now that makes absolute sense of the situation.

Personally, and from a point of having considerable experience of this happening, I doubt very much that ATOS even bother to look at the ESA50's!!

 

I also doubt that the DWP take any notice of what is written either given the long history of failures my dad has had over the past 3 years - 6 so far!!

 

Cynically, I believe that if you included your shopping list with the ESA50 it will still stand the same chances of being a successful claim!

[dpick]

 

Cynically, I believe that if you included your shopping list with the ESA50 it will still stand the same chances of being a successful claim!

 

No it stands more chance of being put in the support group.

 

dpick

[abc123def]

[**Margaret**]

:Shopping lists:

 

Take care folk;

 

Shopping list = trawling the supermarket = fit for work; to an Atosser ostrich.

 

Margaret.

Edited September 23, 2012 by **Margaret**

[della2]

no it stands more chance of being put in the support group.

 

Dpick

 

lol!!!!!

[RaeUK]

... Shopping list = trawling the supermarket = fit for work; to an Atosser ostrich ...

 

 

Shopping List = Rae's workout plan at the Tesco Pulmonary Rehabilitation Centre.

[count orlok]

No it stands more chance of being put in the support group.

 

dpick

 

I concur, I filled mine out, putting information in every box, making sure I got my condition over. I also put in a copy of my script and gave them the address of my doctor and hospital dept I was under.

 

I got put straight into the support group.

 

Not sure if it is relevant, but when Labour first rolled out ESA I remember then said that people over 50 should be treated with more understanding as they were more likely to have been on IB for many years, and less ready for work.

 

Although I think the Tories dropped that bit. I know i wasn't to worried when it was started by Labour but was worried sick (and still am about PIP), when the Tories and their tame media added their own special venom to the process.

[Cotswold1964]

Hello Everyone Again.

 

Nearly 5 weeks after the medical I have now received the news that I scored 0 points in their assessment!

 

In under 2 years I have moved in their eyes from scoring 12 points, which they increased to 15 points following my questioning of the interpretation of the things I said and the content of the report itself!!!

 

They now state that I had not completed a questionnaire prior to the assessment - I had not actually received anything to fill in for 9 months.

 

The decision maker concedes that I do have a mental health problem!!! They then continue that I live alone and manage MOST of my daily activities. I drive alone and got to the examination centre. Apparently my mental state at the examination was normal!!! So considering my history (what history as they claim not to have a questionnaire) and observed behaviour they conclude that significant disability in mental functions is unlikely.

 

I will obviously request a copy of the face to face assessment report and appeal as many questions were not even raised!!!

 

Is there any distance in me writing to my MP about how shambolic this process is???

 

Am I allowed to question the 'cultural' differences between myself and the assessor and how points that I would have thought would be apparent to a prudent interviewer might not have been apparent in this case???

 

Oh well appeals - give me something to spend a couple of days on.

 

Any bright ideas out there???