Atos Health interviews for the benefit changes

spots1 · 03-09-2011, 13:46

Has anyone had interviews for benefit changes by these people recent ...I have had 3 appointments now and they have cancelled them with 2 days notice each time...getting a little fed up as it not only causes me distress but messess up the plans of others who need to take me ....what annoys me is that if I changed the appointments as many times as that they would think I don`t want to go and stop my money... when I phoned them this laast time they said that all the appointments were booked up for the day that mine was suppose to be when asked what happened to mine for the 3rd time they just said they did`nt know ...sorry to gripe but they mess with peoples lives

Saffy · 03-09-2011, 14:11

Yes I have had two .. the last one my Doctor insisted I ask to be done at home which took a bit of time to arrange .. your Doctor has to write to them and request that this be done by the way.

spots1 · 03-09-2011, 15:43

Thanks for that Saffy if they send me another then I will talkto my doc. about it

Mr&MrsGreen · 14-05-2012, 20:15

A friend of ours was at ATOS this sunday, the only person who seemed at all human was the receptionist.
The Health Care Officials just seemed to rush through the whole process as if a conveyor belt system is in operation.
What they put in their report can determine your benefit or none as the case may be.

Talking to a lady there, she said if you are declined benefits and are eligible to receive them, then appeal straight away and hound them with all your evidence.
Then someone will listen...

namtaB · 15-06-2012, 10:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr&MrsGreen

A friend of ours was at ATOS this sunday, the only person who seemed at all human was the receptionist.
The Health Care Officials just seemed to rush through the whole process as if a conveyor belt system is in operation.
What they put in their report can determine your benefit or none as the case may be.

Talking to a lady there, she said if you are declined benefits and are eligible to receive them, then appeal straight away and hound them with all your evidence.
Then someone will listen...

If you know someone who has been turned down for esa and they feel that they are entitled to it and dissagree with the atos medical result, get your appeal in streight away with a covering letter telling them that you are going to consult your local mp as you feel that the decision is unfair and just a way of cutting down the numbers of people claiming esa. I had a medical last december and was awarded zero points by the nurse that examined me. Bearing in mind that I can only walk a few yards before I am in extreme pain due to a spinal injury that has been operated on 4 times and I cannot stand or sit in one place for any length of time. I recently had a telephone conversation by one of the ESA adjudicators and was awarded 15 points and told that they could not believe the results from atos. I was told by ESA to telephone atos on 08453720090 and lodge a formal complaint against their decision. I am now due a substantial amount of money from esa as I should have been on the highest rate of esa for the last year and I have only been paid the base rate. Do not roll over and accept the decisions from Atos as they are not worth the paper they are written on. Get the appeal in and get all the evidence that you can from doctors, consultants, physio etc etc and send copies of any letters in with your appeal. Atos are a money making company and are paid £2000 for every person that they take off esa..

maginu · 17-01-2013, 12:25

just watching the parliament channel and there are some mps from libdem and conservatives actyally saying atos are not capable of the job and that any medical assesment should be done by your own gp wno knows what your disability is and if you are capable of work

partypixie · 18-01-2013, 19:04

Some insider knowledge about the assessments, the DWP have contracted both atos and capita for the new assessments but apparently if someone appeals the decision they'll be asked to go to another assessment straight away. Not sure when this is coming into force though but it means appealing will be significantly more difficult if two supposed independent assessments come out with same results...

craigmason · 22-01-2013, 14:01

atos protest song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBol1WIW63M

Sam71 · 18-02-2013, 18:16

I have been "failed" twice by atos within the last 4 years, took my appeals to tribunal and got the decision overturned within 10 minutes of giving my evidence. All I can advice is that if you do get "failed" appeal straight away and get help from your local Citizens Advice Bureau. I had some great support with both my appeals.
In my experience Atos are just box ticking and not actually listening to your answers.

sheff1johnny · 20-02-2013, 15:42

Atos are the enemy of the disabled, simple as.
But in reallity what people are getting worked up about isn't that bad.
1. Atos interview you...
2. You are either found fit/unfit for work.
3. If found unfit for work, you appeal, keep on the benefit minus £28 a week.
4. Wait ages for a tribunal, and as a rule common sense prevails, and people are reinstated on their original benefits. You get all your money back. Its stressful, and probably makes people more ill in the long run.
5. I just want people to realise it may not be as bad as people make out, myself included. Its the process which takes the p/ss

Portersbank · 22-02-2013, 21:50

i suffer from deep anxierty and panic attacks and dread this interview what with leaving my father and going out

sheff1johnny · 24-02-2013, 11:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Portersbank

i suffer from deep anxierty and panic attacks and dread this interview what with leaving my father and going out

you can always try informing you gp. He/she may write you a letter explaining that you should not attend. also ask for your interview to be taped. hope this helps.

ccit · 24-02-2013, 12:40

It is very easy to criticise ATOS staff but theirs must be a difficult job. We live in an age of great medical advances, better health care and living conditions, yet the number of claimants continues to rise. At one time it was the bad back that prevailed - now it is psychological illness, despite the fact that there is very effective treatment available.

it is a fact that the longer someone is on benefits, the less likely it is that they will return to paid or voluntary employment. The government needs to help people to get back into work, even if it is in a protected environment. Research has shown that employment is actually beneficial as long as the person is supported. It is such a shame to see young people languishing on benefits instead of being helped to achieve. The Paralympics last year showed us all what can be done, despite severe limitations.

Years ago I was introduced to someone who was totally blind and in consequence easily scored the required points to stay at home. Instead, she went to her job as advocate, helping others with their problems. She and others like her are an inspiration.

It seems that people are having a difficult time with ATOS and it clearly needs to improve but there is more than one side to any argument and these people are only human - they have to listen and try to make sense of a complex system.

Evei · 24-02-2013, 16:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccit

It is very easy to criticise ATOS staff but theirs must be a difficult job. We live in an age of great medical advances, better health care and living conditions, yet the number of claimants continues to rise. At one time it was the bad back that prevailed - now it is psychological illness, despite the fact that there is very effective treatment available.

The saddest thing is I think most people with a bad disability would love the chance to work and lead a normal life like everyone else takes for granted. A few bad apples rot the whole of the system

I think the pain problem is the worst, it is hard to tell how much pain someone is in and some people can cope with a lot more pain than others. The same disease can have a very different impact on someone and how people respond to treatment varies.

The number of claims may have actually also increased due to the medical advances. For example people that have survived serious accidents/ cancer treatments/ heart conditions may have have died in the past but now survive, needing long term support.

I think a lot of deaf and blind people get quite annoyed that people see the disability as an 'illness' They are not ill and not in pain, they have a disability which may need extra support and I think the question should be asked how we can support people, not stick a label on them and tell them what a wonderful inspiration they are.

However we must also understand that supporting people can be more expensive then letting people stay at home for money. I am much more for a supportive system that allows people to have the support and hours that allows then to lead a happy life and earn money as I believe everyone longs to be part of society, however I fear that this would be more expensive in the long run and private business would not tolerant it. Having known someone that now has to see an occupation nurse when offered a new job annoys me when they have an excellent attendance record and perfect refs, their condition has to be declared on the form as it is asked about but they are clearly being treated differently......

ccit · 24-02-2013, 16:30

I agree with your comments but to me there is nothing wrong with being inspired by someone - it is not a case of sticking a label on them. Who can fail to be impressed by the work of Simon Weston and other people who have turned disability into ability? Credit where credit is due IMO. Pain has been my constant companion for many years and if thinking of someone else's journey gives some hope then surely there is nothing wrong in that? Please let me have my bit of hero worship in a sad and embittered world.

Sadly, post #12 is indicative of why this job should not be passed to GPs. Their responsibility is to prescribe treatment so that the patient can return to society, not provide excuses as to why they shouldn't.

Evei · 24-02-2013, 18:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccit

I agree with your comments but to me there is nothing wrong with being inspired by someone - it is not a case of sticking a label on them. Who can fail to be impressed by the work of Simon Weston and other people who have turned disability into ability?

Maybe I am being a bit tough! I'm the same with some sports, I have a lot of respect for people for all the hard work and effort they put in to reach the top of their game but they do not inspire me as some of that ability is down to genetics. A short person will never be a top level basketball player. Maybe a better word for me would be to say that I respect people for trying, doing things well and trying to change things.

Maybe inspiration is a very personal thing?

ccit · 24-02-2013, 18:35

Well, as long as it not the woman with the everlasting long face - name of Beckham I believe? LOL

Evei · 24-02-2013, 18:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccit

Well, as long as it not the woman with the everlasting long face - name of Beckham I believe? LOL

Not my type of inspiration. Though she has clearly done very well for herself so I might missing something!

My inspirational people tend to be brainy but poor!

ccit · 24-02-2013, 19:20

Quote:

Not my type of inspiration. Though she has clearly done very well for herself so I might missing something!

Bit off topic (sorry) but 'Norfolk Street' and 'Long As' comes to mind (as we Sheffielders say).

sheff1johnny · 26-02-2013, 10:32

I think pip/dla should not be awarded to people who have over £100,000 in the bank, no matter what the circumstances. I was disgusted to find that David Cameron, claimed money for his son. DLA at that. Yes he was entitled, but he didn't need it, did he? Then he tells other disabled people they have to accept welfare reform. Atos should not be allowed to assess people for pip, as they have already made an hash of esa. They are paid £100 million, a year, and then another £50 million is spent correcting their decissions. There are better ways to save money than picking on the disabled.