Atos Medicals - Questions, Answers and Support

[equationgirl]

existentialist ViolentPanda has said before now that the DWP do seem to take things out on claimants if there's a successful appeal e.g. recalling claimants for assessment even when the tribunal says there's no need for 12-24 months etc.

 

[existentialist]

How would getting your client's permission affect this?

Boundaries. I'm a counsellor, not a welfare rights advisor. A line has to be drawn.

 

[cesare]

We involved Diane Abbott, and tbf, she did write to the DWP. The DWP responded to her but didn't budge. They just justified their decision. In terms of expectations - the reality is that the DWP treat the involvement of MPs as a customer complaint and don't get particularly concerned. They certainly don't change their decision (albeit I suppose there will be a few exceptions here and there). What I think it might do - if enough people were to routinely copy their MPs on all correspondence - is to get them snowed under with the sheer volume of people experiencing difficulties and stress, so that they start to get a handle on what's going on and therefore the implications for the next elections.

 

[existentialist]

We involved Diane Abbott, and tbf, she did write to the DWP. The DWP responded to her but didn't budge. They just justified their decision. In terms of expectations - the reality is that the DWP treat the involvement of MPs as a customer complaint and don't get particularly concerned. They certainly don't change their decision (albeit I suppose there will be a few exceptions here and there). What I think it might do - if enough people were to routinely copy their MPs on all correspondence - is to get them snowed under with the sheer volume of people experiencing difficulties and stress, so that they start to get a handle on what's going on and therefore the implications for the next elections.

I like this idea.

 

[geminisnake]

so that they start to get a handle on what's going on and therefore the implications for the next elections.

Wouldn't work for me, being in Scotland

 

[cesare]

Wouldn't work for me, being in Scotland

Are you in the Falkirk area?

 

[audiotech]

As stated before. I contacted the Human Rights Commission and they advised "reasonable adjustment" could be expected in my case, contact Atos and return the ESA50, not filled in, with a covering letter explaining the tribunal decision. I did write to Atos, with more evidence on my condition. They did not respond. I spoke to the DWP, who said they would check with the Benefits Agency. I requested they inform me in writing of the decision when they had. They didn't. I also wrote to my MP who passed on my letter to Lord Frued. Then, just four days before the dead-line set for returning the completed ESA50 I received a phone call from the DWP apologising, stating there had been an "error" made. I should not have received the ESA50 and therefore should ignore it. It became clear that on a legal footing (going against the tribunal decision) they would lose if it went to appeal, ombudsman etc.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Anyone seen the latest (courtesy Benefits and Work website)?

ESA claimants are to be forced to have regular appointments with DWP doctors or other health professionals, possibly employed by Atos or Capita, not to assess them for benefits but to get advice on how to improve their health. The appointments will be mandatory and can be as long and as frequent as is considered necessary in order to get claimants back into work. Pilots of this and two other schemes will begin in November. More details in ESA news below.

So are they now saying your own GPs/Consultants are incompetent?

 

[audiotech]

Anyone seen the latest...

Yes, already posted on this very thread.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Yes, already posted on this very thread.

Too much of a headache to bother looking

 

[toggle]

existentialist ViolentPanda has said before now that the DWP do seem to take things out on claimants if there's a successful appeal e.g. recalling claimants for assessment even when the tribunal says there's no need for 12-24 months etc.

at Bakunin's tribunal the possibility of a swift recall was mentioned. i believe there was somewhat of a warning inherent in the way it was said, as well as something somewhat beyond irritation

 

[WouldBe]

I've fucked up big time.

I received a letter around 20th June about my DLA tribunal date. I misread the date as being 12th Aug. Had a phone call from my previous advisors on Monday asking me to come in prior to my tribunal this Friday

Had an emergency appointment with my solicitor yesterday. Despite him writing to tribunal service, back in March, to say he was taking over as advisor and requesting a move of the tribunal to Nottingham the tribunal service hasn't been in touch with him and the tribunal is arranged for my home town.

Waiting to hear wether tribunal will be postponed or wether I have to turn up only for it to be adjourned or wether it will go ahead regardless.

 

[flipflop29]

How can you appeal against a wrong decision until you know what the difference between WRAG and support group is though? Despite sending me approx 10 pages of paper all the letter told me was I was now getting ESA and had been put in the WRAG (and I would get another letter). I didn't know wtf that was

It's a bloody good point. There are grounds for appealing after the 30 day limit, I'd guess that might be one of them.

 

[Libertad]

Fuck fuck fuck. New ESA50 arrived today. I've got nine weeks of chemo. left to do and I really don't fucking need this. One of the major factors in the success of my treatment is stress levels due to the production of cortisone. Fuck em.

Is there any way under "reasonable adjustment" that I can tell ATOS to shove their fucking form? Alternatively I'll just have to copy in exactly what I submitted in my last form.

Incidentally the new ESA50 01/13 asks for accompanying medical documents which they didn't use to. I have all this information but it'll take me a couple of weeks to do it and I'm really not fucking up for it at all. (Poor me)

Oh yeah and there may be something else wrong with my colon or gallbladder or pancreas which is undiagnosed, I'm in fucking agony every day. I had a contrast CT scan two weeks ago and still no results, my specialist is off on leave until the 17th July.

Sorry, needed to get that out.

 

[geminisnake]

Are you in the Falkirk area?

I'd rather be homeless Nah, NE.

 

[geminisnake]

Anyone seen the latest (courtesy Benefits and Work website)?

So are they now saying your own GPs/Consultants are incompetent?

I saw that on FB in one of the anti BT groups. How do they intend to fix my brain injury?? Medical science can't do it so I don't see how they can

Libertad, I'd go with copying the last one and adding any new info but (((you))) They really are a bunch of CNUTS

 

[Libertad]

Seeing as they know that I'm still on chemo. and that my health is worse now than when I filled in my last form, is there any way that I can tell them to shove it?

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

I saw that on FB in one of the anti BT groups. How do they intend to fix my brain injury?? Medical science can't do it so I don't see how they can

Libertad, I'd go with copying the last one and adding any new info but (((you))) They really are a bunch of CNUTS

I know. Maybe they'll teach you skills to help you remember. Friend's consultant suggested mnemonics, which is all very well, assuming you can remember the words in the first place

 

[8115]

'Sick And Disabled To Be Forced To Address "Barriers To Work" Or Lose Benefits'.

Two year pilot scheme for those on ESA and in the 'Work Related Activity Group' (WRAG).

People on sickness benefits will be required to have regular meetings with doctors, occupational health nurses and therapists to help them address their barriers to work

I'm sure there used to be another organisation where doctors and nurses saw patients....

 

[audiotech]

Seeing as they know that I'm still on chemo. and that my health is worse now than when I filled in my last form, is there any way that I can tell them to shove it?

Sorry to hear that Libertad and yes, get on to the DWP, letter to Atos and your MP if you can summon the strength, or an advocate on your behalf. I know it's not much and the probability of a: 'couldn't give a fuck' is uppermost in the minds of a fair few of these appointed, lead bureaucrats, doing this as part of their job spec (I whiffed a sense of that in the conversation I had with the recent nerk who telephoned), but nonetheless found it worth it just to hear another sniffling piece of shit having to apologise.

 

[WouldBe]

Fuck fuck fuck. New ESA50 arrived today. I've got nine weeks of chemo. left to do and I really don't fucking need this.

I thought chemo was one of those special circumstances that put you straight on ESA (support group?) that didn't need a medical so don't know why you would have to fill the form in other than the first section.[/quote]

 

[ViolentPanda]

I thought chemo was one of those special circumstances that put you straight on ESA (support group?) that didn't need a medical so don't know why you would have to fill the form in other than the first section.

I think it depends whether the chemo is IV or oral.

'Cos oral chemo is nowhere near as toxic as IV chemo, as far as the DWP fucksticks are concerned.

 

[Libertad]

I thought chemo was one of those special circumstances that put you straight on ESA (support group?) that didn't need a medical so don't know why you would have to fill the form in other than the first section.

I think it depends whether the chemo is IV or oral.

'Cos oral chemo is nowhere near as toxic as IV chemo, as far as the DWP fucksticks are concerned.

I inject at home and because it's not cancer that I'm battling, yet, but a viral blood disorder then my chemo. doesn't count.
The fact that I was infected by the NHS in the first place and that they should recognise a moral duty of care to me doesn't register either.

It's the stress of the whole thing and the increase in cortisone levels that it causes. The more stress that I am under the less likely it is that treatment will work and the less likely I am to clear this virus.
Thanks DWP.

 

[equationgirl]

Oh {{{Libertad}}} this is the last thing you need

Do you have anyone who can advocate for you?

 

[Celt]

Seeing as they know that I'm still on chemo. and that my health is worse now than when I filled in my last form, is there any way that I can tell them to shove it?

I inject at home and because it's not cancer that I'm battling, yet, but a viral blood disorder then my chemo. doesn't count.
The fact that I was infected by the NHS in the first place and that they should recognise a moral duty of care to me doesn't register either.

It's the stress of the whole thing and the increase in cortisone levels that it causes. The more stress that I am under the less likely it is that treatment will work and the less likely I am to clear this virus.
Thanks DWP.

your MP should know about this, it is utterly deplorable

 

[Libertad]

Oh {{{Libertad}}} this is the last thing you need

Do you have anyone who can advocate for you?

There isn't anyone left in Cornwall that I know of, CAB has been decimated.

Thanks for your support though Urbs.

 

[WouldBe]

Had a phone call from my solicitor yesterday to say my DLA tribunal has been postponed and will (eventually) be heard in Nottingham so it's easier for my solicitor to get to.

Bit of a shame as it's supposed to be the hottest day of the year today and heat makes my condition worse.

 

[Greebo]

WouldBe Well, with any luck you'll be visibly in a pretty bad way come the day of the tribunal. Good luck on that day, when it comes.

FWIW when VP turned up to his DLA appeal (several years ago now, thank goodness) and the DWP woman was there to argue that he shouldn't have got a penny, she showed one glimmer of human decency. In spite of her harping on about (unnamed) discrepancies in the information, she held the heavy fire door open as he struggled out of the room and muttered "I'm sorry".

 

[culder]

(((Everyone)))

I'm still finding it difficult to communicate regularly, here or anywhere else, so as usual I'm out-of-date with what everyone is going through.

I've had a recent problem I'd like to talk about but it isn't ATOS-related, it's more about mental health. I know there are probably other threads for it, but this is the thread that I know and feel comfortable with. It's mainly about the fact that I was supposed to go to hospital today for surgery, but I had to cancel it because I can't get transport. Would anyone mind if I talk about it here?

 

[existentialist]

(((Everyone)))

I'm still finding it difficult to communicate regularly, here or anywhere else, so as usual I'm out-of-date with what everyone is going through.

I've had a recent problem I'd like to talk about but it isn't ATOS-related, it's more about mental health. I know there are probably other threads for it, but this is the thread that I know and feel comfortable with. It's mainly about the fact that I was supposed to go to hospital today for surgery, but I had to cancel it because I can't get transport. Would anyone mind if I talk about it here?

To be honest, you'll get a much better hearing over on the long-running specialist mental health thread, which you can find at http://www.urban75.net/forums/threads/mental-health-thread-anyone.304912/

This thread really is specifically for ATOS stuff.

That's my advice, not an order, btw.

And I imagine you will find yourself feeling quite at home on the mental health thread pretty quickly - they're a friendly enough bunch, just like here!