ATOS - evidence of the rumours?

[Deleted User]

KxMx wrote: »

Actually, yes. A friend of mine was told by her Job Centre Plus Advisor that MP's were paying ATOS to fail 80% of claimants.

I know the numbers don't add up but coming from where it did there must be some truth in the matter.

utter and total rubbish.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

dmg24 wrote: »

The OP was asking for evidence, not hearsay.

That's why I suggested the op contact ATOS direct. Coming from the horses mouth so to speak.

DX2

the_devil_made_me_do_it wrote: »

Maybe write to ATOS & ask them directly.

So it would go along the lines of:
Dear Mr Atos,

Can you please confirm that you are being paid to get people off benefits and finding the unfit fit for work. Can you also please confirm that Atos doctors get paid a bonus for each disabled person that you claim is suddenly as "fit as a butcher's dog"

Your sincerely
:rotfl::rotfl:

the_devil_made_me_do_it

DX2 wrote: »

So it would go along the lines of:
Dear Mr Atos,

Can you please confirm that you are being paid to get people off benefits and finding the unfit fit for work. Can you also please confirm that Atos doctors get paid a bonus for each disabled person that you claim is suddenly as "fit as a butcher's dog"

Your sincerely
:rotfl::rotfl:

I rekon something along those lines. ATOS would surely have to give an honest answer? I mean we are trusting this company to give an honest assesment of the client during medicals.

hrafndot

http://www.whywaitforever.com/dwpatos.html is a very thorough and informative site. It appears that the person who compiled the site was rather ill and very frustrated with the process. Because he had a technical background he decided to compile the website to help other people negotiate the process.

http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/press_20100323 This is the Citizen's Advice Bureau's report on the Work Capability Assessment - self explanatory.

There is an enquiry taking place at the DWP led by Professor Malcolm Harrington. This enquiry took evidence submitted from all over the UK and various NHS panels. The enquiry has yet to report, I think it reports next spring.

The Contract is being examined and all material surrounding this contract is publicly available due to this country's procurement legislation.

The governance of the contractual process and the degree of influence of all parties to this contract will be examined.

All of these activities: the medical, the contract and the benefit are governed by law and political acts which affect this law are affected by the lobbying of us, the voters.

HGLTsuperstar

the_devil_made_me_do_it wrote: »

I rekon something along those lines. ATOS would surely have to give an honest answer? I mean we are trusting this company to give an honest assesment of the client during medicals.

Bit nainve really - I dont think they're going to turn round and say (if it is true) "Oh yes, we fit the assessment to meet our bonus targets."

the_devil_made_me_do_it

HGLTsuperstar wrote: »

Bit nainve really - I dont think they're going to turn round and say (if it is true) "Oh yes, we fit the assessment to meet our bonus targets."

Your obviously missing the sarcasm

HGLTsuperstar

Yes, sorry about that but I don't have the time or patience to maintain a sense of humour in my current situation.

soolin

If you knew exactly how to ask, and who to ask then the freedom of information act might be a place to start. You would have to be very precise though about how to phrase the information request as you couldn't ask a question, as that is not covered by FOI but you would need to know in which papers or documents the info is likely to be held.

MrsManda

OK for anyone who has the time and inclination, you can download an updated copy of the contract between the DWP and ATOS from the Parliament 'library'.

The documents (44) can be found HERE and are in a zip file: DEP2010-1704.ZIP

Description:

Updated copy of the Medical Services contract between Atos Healthcare and the Department for Work and Pensions. Inc the agreement regarding medical assessments in respect of employment and support allowance and the employment and support allowance tender requirements. 44 docs

The bits I've looked through don't say anything about being paid bonuses to class people as fit to work and I doubt there is such a thing but I haven't read it all so cannot be certain.