Atos Medicals - Questions, Answers and Support
- Thread starter Zabo
- Start date
You could be due for income based after this I think.
equationgirl
Respect my existence or expect my resistance
Got my date for my WCA at 09:55 in the morning.I'm sure I requested an afternoon appointment on the ESA form.
No mention of wether it will be recorded or not and no mention of if a GP will be doing it due to neurological problems.
WouldBe - forgive my memory, what do you have again? I'll check the DWP guidance for you.
Also: Phone them and ask them for an afternoon appointment saying that you put that on the form due to your medical issues. Also ask them to confirm they will be recording the assessment due to your memory problems.
WouldBe
Dislicksick
My medical problem is down as chronic fatigue syndrome but I suspect I've got multiple sclerosis.
Will do. I'll check my copy of ESA 50 to see if I did put down afternoon appointment as I can't remember. Def said it would be recorded.
Frumious B.
Well-Known Member
The DWP guidance says CFS should be assessed by a doctor, because it's regarded as a neurological condition. They don't explain that in advance, don't expect them to mention it in your appointment letter. (This is going by my experience last year.)
geminisnake
a complex mass of conflicting ideas
So apparently my case is now to go to tribunal, I have 2 weeks to decide if I want this. I have no idea if it is worth the stress/hassle. Thoughts/experiences/help???
xsunnysuex
Life is a horizontal fall.
I won my tribunal in July 2012. I was put in the work related activity group for 24 months. I found the tribunal ok. There were 2 women that heard my tribunal. A dr and a lawyer. Both very pleasant. I would definitely go to tribunal if I were you.
I then received nearly £900 in back payment.
geminisnake
a complex mass of conflicting ideas
I think my biggest concern is I can't evidence my biggest problem(lack of energy) It's a known side effect of ABIs but I can't show/prove how it does and doesn't affect me. I have no additional evidence either 
xsunnysuex
Life is a horizontal fall.
I think my biggest concern is I can't evidence my biggest problem(lack of energy) It's a known side effect of ABIs but I can't show/prove how it does and doesn't affect me. I have no additional evidence either
I had no additional evidence for my case either. I suffer from depression. Brought on by something shit that happened in the past. I've had counseling etc in the past. But nothing really helped.
But the tribunal listened to how my depression affected me. Asked a few questions. And that was it. They told me there and then that they thought I wasn't fit for work. They were both really nice people. And I've heard the vast majority are.
In my view I had nothing to lose, and everything to gain.
Frumious B.
Well-Known Member
Are the tribunal interested in letters from GPs and specialists?
xsunnysuex
Life is a horizontal fall.
Yes. They look at all the evidence sent in.
purenarcotic
Conveniently Pocket Sized
I think my biggest concern is I can't evidence my biggest problem(lack of energy) It's a known side effect of ABIs but I can't show/prove how it does and doesn't affect me. I have no additional evidence either
Ignoring evidence for now, can you explain how do you do feel it affects you?
Minnie_the_Minx
someinenhhanding menbag and me ah bollox
I think my biggest concern is I can't evidence my biggest problem(lack of energy) It's a known side effect of ABIs but I can't show/prove how it does and doesn't affect me. I have no additional evidence either
Worth a read geminisnake?
http://www.brainline.org/content/20...line-talks-with-dr-nathan-zasler_pageall.html
Frumious B.
Well-Known Member
Is there a deadline for submitting evidence? Can you bring new evidence to the tribunal?
geminisnake
a complex mass of conflicting ideas
There is no new evidence. I have an ABI, have had for over 10 yrs, it won't get better. That also kinda worries me. Lack of evidence new or otherwise iyswim.
Will have a shufty at that later, cheers Minnie.
Shit, just realised there are more posts. WIll come back to this later, really must go down town just now(which I put off as long as I can)
xsunnysuex
Life is a horizontal fall.
You can. They ask you when you arrive if there is anything you want the tribunal to see.
Frumious B.
Well-Known Member
Great. I'm accompanying a guy to his tribunal next month. I'll try to get a letter from his GP. Unfortunately his problem is mental illness and he's not had a diagnosis from a psych and there isn't time to get one before the tribunal so I doubt the GP can say much. I am hoping that if the tribunal people get him chatting it will be flipping obvious to them that he's pretty far gone. He has a v chaotic life, he's an alcoholic, he's not getting any psych treatment. I hope that won't go against him, for 'not trying to get better'.
existentialist
Tired and unemotional
What are your other options?
geminisnake
a complex mass of conflicting ideas
Yes, and most of it is negative. I can, on occasion, do a full day but I 'pay for it' for the next couple. When I'm tired I won't drive so it limits me in that way, and I'm not sure I could do 16 hrs work a week for more than a few weeks before it would 'catch up on me' iykwim.
existentialist, I think my option is not bother and get shoved in the WRAG. And I suppose now that I think of it that's not going to work if they want me to do 'training' days or whatever because my energy levels just aren't up to it
Looks like I better just go for it
existentialist
Tired and unemotional
Yes, and most of it is negative. I can, on occasion, do a full day but I 'pay for it' for the next couple. When I'm tired I won't drive so it limits me in that way, and I'm not sure I could do 16 hrs work a week for more than a few weeks before it would 'catch up on me' iykwim.
existentialist, I think my option is not bother and get shoved in the WRAG. And I suppose now that I think of it that's not going to work if they want me to do 'training' days or whatever because my energy levels just aren't up to it
Looks like I better just go for it
Which is, kinda, why I asked what the alternatives were
I think you're doing the right thing. Take all the support that's going, from here and elsewhere, and give it your best shot.
If it's any consolation, think of the tribunal thing, as well as getting what's rightfully yours, as "sticking it to the man".
equationgirl
Respect my existence or expect my resistance
Now that's why I was checking the DWP guidance yesterday but funnily enough it seems to have been updated to no longer say that within the last couple of months.
ViolentPanda Greebo what's your take on this (when you get chance to respond)?
Frumious B.
Well-Known Member
Hmmm. Might be worth an ask in the benefitsandwork forum? I can't do it, my sub has lapsed.
purenarcotic
Conveniently Pocket Sized
Yes, and most of it is negative. I can, on occasion, do a full day but I 'pay for it' for the next couple. When I'm tired I won't drive so it limits me in that way, and I'm not sure I could do 16 hrs work a week for more than a few weeks before it would 'catch up on me' iykwim.
existentialist, I think my option is not bother and get shoved in the WRAG. And I suppose now that I think of it that's not going to work if they want me to do 'training' days or whatever because my energy levels just aren't up to it
Looks like I better just go for it
I expect if you tell them that they will listen. The tribunal really is a different ethos and a different way. The intention isn't to catch you out but to impartially weigh up both your testimony and any supporting evidence you can provide.
My medical was about ME/CFS and when I arrived I asked who I was seeing and was told it was a physiotherapist. So I asked how good she was at assessing neurological conditions and the receptionist vanished for 10 mins and then told me I'd be seeing a doctor
Useful tip there, spirals.
IME, it is. Definitely. I didn't even attend my tribunal (though you have got more chance of winning if you do), just signed the thing to say I wouldn't be attending and posted off all the paperwork to do with my case. And the only evidence I'd provided was my own written evidence. And I still won. I can't see that you're going to lose anything by doing it.
WouldBe
Dislicksick
Yes. My solicitor is sending 52 pages in for them to look at.
Extra evidence needs to be in at least 7 days before the tribunal date to give them time to look at it.
WouldBe
Dislicksick
geminisnake
If you send them a written letter explaining in detail how it affects you it might help. The tribunal only goes over the questions on the form which some medical problems don't fit into very well. By providing details of how your condition affects you they will at least have to look at it.
bob420
New Member
Are the tribunal interested in letters from GPs and specialists?
I would think so , DR's are very useful and they only cost £10
but some do cost £20
in my case atos and the dwp were not helpful and practically ignored all my special requests
and legal points raised, i was fighting them for almost 2 years, with little luck other than
delaying the procedure of a home visit
i was at one point on the verge of giving up and agreeing to the home visit (interrogation)
ATOS strongly objected to my delousing policy
all visitors to my home must be deloused before entry maybe granted
i do not have a problem with OCD
but i do like folk to be hygienic
however both the DWP and ATOS responded favorably to the letters written by my GP
the first letter my doctor wrote was to ask for a home visit
i asked my GP to write a second letter that stated that if i am forced to look for work or lose
my benefit, this would directly have a negative impact on my recovery
"in the opinion of my GP, it would worsen my conditions
of agoraphobia depression and social phobia"
my GP refused to write the second letter, so i complained to the GMC who advised me to
refresh the doctors memory on the GMC policy of Good communication section 22
To communicate effectively the GP must
a. listen to patients, ask for and respect their views about their health, and respond to their concerns and preferences
b. share with patients, in a way they can understand, the information they want or need to know about their condition, its likely progression, and the treatment options available to them, including associated risks and uncertainties
c. respond to patients’ questions and keep them informed about the progress of their care
d. make sure that patients are informed about how information is shared within teams and among those who will be providing their care.
after this GMC complaint my GP agreed to write the letter
it would seem my GP's word is well worth the £10 he chargers for it
even if he does need a kick up the backside to get him onside
after receiving the 2nd letter from my GP
A scrutiny had been conducted to review the new evidence i had sent from my doctor.
The atos doctor concluded that my medical evidence from my GP was enough to satisfy the requirements of the ESA support group, and that a recovery is unlikely for a minimum of 2-3 years
i was placed in support group without the need for a home visit or assessment
I would think so , DR's are very useful and they only cost £10
but some do cost £20
in my case atos and the dwp were not helpful and practically ignored all my special requests
and legal points raised, i was fighting them for almost 2 years, with little luck other than
delaying the procedure of a home visit
i was at one point on the verge of giving up and agreeing to the home visit (interrogation)
ATOS strongly objected to my delousing policy
all visitors to my home must be deloused before entry maybe granted
i do not have a problem with OCD
but i do like folk to be hygienic
however both the DWP and ATOS responded favorably to the letters written by my GP
the first letter my doctor wrote was to ask for a home visit
i asked my GP to write a second letter that stated that if i am forced to look for work or lose
my benefit, this would directly have a negative impact on my recovery
"in the opinion of my GP, it would worsen my conditions
of agoraphobia depression and social phobia"
my GP refused to write the second letter, so i complained to the GMC who advised me to
refresh the doctors memory on the GMC policy of Good communication section 22
To communicate effectively the GP must
a. listen to patients, ask for and respect their views about their health, and respond to their concerns and preferences
b. share with patients, in a way they can understand, the information they want or need to know about their condition, its likely progression, and the treatment options available to them, including associated risks and uncertainties
c. respond to patients’ questions and keep them informed about the progress of their care
d. make sure that patients are informed about how information is shared within teams and among those who will be providing their care.
after this GMC complaint my GP agreed to write the letter
it would seem my GP's word is well worth the £10 he chargers for it
even if he does need a kick up the backside to get him onside
after receiving the 2nd letter from my GP
A scrutiny had been conducted to review the new evidence i had sent from my doctor.
The atos doctor concluded that my medical evidence from my GP was enough to satisfy the requirements of the ESA support group, and that a recovery is unlikely for a minimum of 2-3 years
i was placed in support group without the need for a home visit or assessment
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