Atos Medicals - Questions, Answers and Support

Not just an excellent idea - but unfortunately a pre-requisite.

hammer. nail. head.

It's like that old US Marine shite you used to see on T-shirts "KILL 'EM ALL - LET GOD SORT THEM OUT"

I wouldn't say unethical as much as sound practical advice tbf

not sure who that is aimed at tbh, can you expand a bit?

I thought I was quoting VP's post inre: stopping p/k's a couple of days before assessment but clearly didn't. Moral? Don't try to post from "smart" phone, stupid thing....

Got you now. I agree.

This is NOT about justice or 'fairness'... it's about learning the rules and playing the game. Their job is to stop your benefits. You have to provide compelling reasons for them to fuck off and leave you alone.

My friend is back in hospital again, she had another stroke. She really should qualify for a higher level of DLA, now.

absolutely right; ATOS and the govt's disgusting behaviour more or less compels people to climb into the same gutter

Just think about all those who have no idea, no help and no desire to play 'the game'. At least those of us here are able to exchange thoughts, feelings and ideas.

I'm 64 in a few days, so I may well be an OAP before they get to do my re-assessment, I must check what happens then

Absolutely not!
That's tantamount to scrounging.
In hospital, then no need for any mobility monies, in hospital, then getting care 'for free', so no need for care allowance. That's the way the bastards think.

Sorry to hear about your friend's stroke and hope they get sorted.

I do think of them.

I am also representing another friend in his travails with Social Services. over the last 3 years things have come full circle at it is a case of him persecuting them now. As part of our 'investigations' we came across many people who were treated abominably by the same team but simply did not have the Resources to challenge them - and had ample anecdotal evidence of what might happen should they even try.

my friend was a 63-year old former farm labourer. A simple, decent man of few words - but as sharp as a tack (as many country folk are).

This is why I've had some success helping other people with their claims. I've learned the "right" way to act, the "right" way to fill out the forms, and I don't do the one thing that fucks a lot of claimants for disability benefits over: I don't do that stiff upper lip bullshit. I write a full explanation of the pain, fatigue etc caused by carrying out various actions mentioned in the forms, the implications of various medications etc. I've managed a few good results, including an "indefinite" medium care, high mobility award for an Urbanite's other half, and an "indefinite" high rate attendance allowance award for a relative. If you play the game according to how they play it, rather than merely following the so-called advice that they give you with the forms or from their helpline, success is far more likely.
Problem is, you generally have to learn this shit the hard way, from getting fucked over by trusting the DWP to be compassionate, or even "human", rather than bureaucrats.

I'm very sorry to hear that.
Could you or someone else make a point of collecting up all the paperwork the hospital will send her once she's let out? They usually send the patient and the patient's GP results of all the tests administered in hospital, and it can make a massive difference to a claim if you can provide copies of this stuff alongside a claim. They can't ignore diagnostic print-outs that easily!

This is how I operate. If they want to fuck with me, then fine.
Just as long as they don't expect me not to fuck with them in return.

the new benefits, ESA, and soon PIP won't allow for this amount of detail, narrative, explanation, etc..

The way I see it, they're getting to the point with ESA where they'll have no choice but to include it. Grayling either cedes ground, or he watches the tribunal waiting list continue to rise even if he makes right to appeal harder to access, and if he does that, he's tacitly admitting that his "reforms" totally got everything wrong (although he'd probably like to pass the buck to Harrington, if he hadn't already shot himself in the foot there).

I bet Atos deduct points for being able to breathe.

Funny, that - I was just thinking yesterday, "If you can breathe, you're fit for work".

It gets worse and worse.

I read a post last week somewhere which may have been on a site called dwpexaminations.

someone with some legal confidence and/or a solicitor claimed to have had a fair bit of success going down this route - they insisted that ATOS had to fund the sound engineers bill, since it was their requirement. Then ATOS told the claimant theyd have to sign a disclaimer saying that their copy of the recording couldnt be useed as propaganda etc, but s/he refused on the basis that they had created a contract, and giving a claimant a contract infringed some sort of law.

IIRC the story ended abruptly without a clear ending, but if its true then at the very least it delayed the examination for a few weeks which is a few more weeks money at the higher rate.

this is supposed to be the training guide that DWP staff themselves use.

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/wca-handbook.pdf

Tom Greatrex MP informs me of Debate on WCA/Atos on 1st feb 9.30am – 11.00 –Westminster Hall…

From Victims of Atos Corruption Blog.

Phycho
When I looked into the recording thing with ATOS they didn't say that they had any equipment. The charge for 'calibrating' was for the gear that I would supply.
I said that since I could operate a 24 channel mixing desk I would be able to set the gear perfectly by myself thank you!
(haven't worked a desk for 20 years)
We bantered back and forth a few times and they were nothing but obstructive
The evil thing is that they know what they are doing and the pain that they are inflicting .

Quoted from the training sneaks guide.

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/wca-handbook.pdf

^^ That's not sneaking, that's spying.
The 'professionals' indeed - "document any evidence"

Get Deckard to run a VoiceCom on him.

Here's the first two paragraphs - I haven't been able read any further as anecdotal evidence reported on this and other sites has already indicated these statements not to be followed or true in practice:

"This training has been produced as part of a training programme for Health Care Professionals approved or appointed by the Department for Work and Pensions Chief Medical Adviser to carry out benefit assessment work.

All Health Care Professionals undertaking medical assessments must be registered medical practitioners, nursing practitioners or physiotherapists who, in addition, have undergone training in disability assessment medicine and specific training in the relevant benefit areas. The training includes theory training in a classroom setting, supervised practical training, and a demonstration of understanding as assessed by quality audit"

I dread to think what other 'gems' will be revealed (my bold for emphasis).

Here's some stuff specific to ATOS on p19 of the handbook:

'The role of the Atos Healthcare HCP

All Health Care Professionals who give advice relating to Employment and Support Allowance must be approved by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. Approval involves specific training; successful completion of various stages of the approval process, and ongoing demonstration that the work being carried out meets a satisfactory standard. The ESA approved HCP is required to provide advice to the DWP Decision Maker in accordance with the current guidance issued by the Department for Work and Pensions.

Approved HCPs may be either employed or contracted to work on a sessional basis.

The role of the HCP is to help Decision Makers reach fair and proper decisions on benefit entitlement, by providing advice which is:



Legible and concise



Fair and impartial



Medically correct



Consistent and complete



In accordance with the relevant legislation.

In carrying out this function, ESA approved HCPs act as specialist disability analysts. The role of the disability analyst is different from the more familiar clinical role of reaching a diagnosis and arranging treatment. For the disability analyst, a precise diagnosis is of secondary importance. The primary function is to make an assessment of how a person's day to day life is affected by disability, and to relate this to the legislative requirements. '

Disability analysts ffs

I'll only submit to one if I get to shoot them when they ask about my mother.

'A positive agenda for disability and employment'. Prof'. Paul Gregg - TUC seminar.

"...no welfare reliance problem relative to other developed nations..."

"..welfare reliance is in long-term decline..."

"reform and scream"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=XLtAu25ot0M#!

Today I got a letter from the council, saying that the DWP have informed them that I will no longer be entitled to Income Support, so my Housing Benefit and Council Tax benefit will be stopped as from the 9th Feb.

This will be sorted - I spoke to someone and I 'just' need to fill in the form they sent.

But it's another phone call, another form to fill in.

How much stress do these people think I need before I crack?

Oh fuck. (((Culder)))

Hello culder, I read your earlier posts today having heard about your medical from your boyfriend last week. Heart rending stuff. I hope you have found some of the information on here useful and supportive. Do not give in and do not let them grind you down.

Thank you, Josef. As I've already said, I'm really glad I came here. Just talking to people who understand is a great help.

I know it's going to be a long haul, but somehow I have to stick with it.