ESA Medical - here we go again!

deeplyblue

Hastobe_Katt wrote: »

Oh boy do I empathise with you!

Maybe what they should be doing at ATOS is asking the question "On the basis of what I have seen, would I employ this person on a permanent basis?" Viz would I be willing to:
i) pay them 'the market rate for the role they would have
ii) pay SSP
iii) deal with the health and safety risks
iv) cope with the uncertainty and potential lack of staff continuity if / when they need to take time off etc.

It ATOS had to deal with the consequences of their answer to that question you can be sure they would be very thorough when ascertaining what the individual could and could not do.

Hardly - because the answer would come out the wrong way.

As some one put it elsewhere, "this is politics, not medicine." :mad:

Alternatively, try, "It's the economy, stupid!"

deeplyblue

de1amo wrote: »

if i stood in a bucket of water(not supplied) with 2 knitting needles stuffed up my nostrils singing god save the king would it make them believe i was unfit for work or just mad

Well, it didn't work for Blackadder, so it might not work for you!

db

melbury

Do you think it would be in order to ask at the end of the ATOS medical how to go about applying to be put into the support group rather than the work related group? Or, do you think this would be a big black mark against my OH?

I am absolutely dreading it.:(

bertiebat

melbury wrote: »

Do you think it would be in order to ask at the end of the ATOS medical how to go about applying to be put into the support group rather than the work related group? Or, do you think this would be a big black mark against my OH?

I am absolutely dreading it.:(

You don't apply to get into the support group, it's determined by the assessment process itself as to which group you qualify for.

The criteria for the support group is quite specific and has nothing to do with permanency of the illness/disability.

Details are contained in this document to see if the support group is a possible option:

http://www.ssac.org.uk/pdf/esa-amendment-regulations-2011.pdf

melbury

bertiebat wrote: »

You don't apply to get into the support group, it's determined by the assessment process itself as to which group you qualify for.

The criteria for the support group is quite specific and has nothing to do with permanency of the illness/disability.

Details are contained in this document to see if the support group is a possible option:

http://www.ssac.org.uk/pdf/esa-amendment-regulations-2011.pdf

So who is it that actually decides which group you are placed in? I thought it was put on the medical assessment by the HCP, but obviously I am wrong.

Therefore if you want to appeal against it, this has to be done direct to the DWP then, stating your reasons?

sunnyone

melbury wrote: »

So who is it that actually decides which group you are placed in? I thought it was put on the medical assessment by the HCP, but obviously I am wrong.

Therefore if you want to appeal against it, this has to be done direct to the DWP then, stating your reasons?

All appeals go direct to the DWP, they then do a reconsideration before deciding if the appeal is allowed, if it is then copies of all the paperwork are sent to the claimant and the tribunal service.

melbury

I know this is a strange question, but my OH's ATOS appointment is at 9.45am tomorrow and it is really urgent that we are out of there by 11.00am at the latest, as our dog is ill and has to be taken to the vet for an operation by 11.30am.

Last time we went was an afternoon appointment and we had to wait about 15 mins and were the only people there at that time. Do you think from the time they have allocated us tomorrow that this will be the second appointment of the day and so they shouldn't be running too late by then? I am of course presuming that they only give one person each time slot.

If it looks like we are going to be stuck there for ages we will have to leave and arrange another appointment, so don't know how that would go down with them.

rogerblack

melbury wrote: »

Do you think it would be in order to ask at the end of the ATOS medical how to go about applying to be put into the support group rather than the work related group? Or, do you think this would be a big black mark against my OH?

I am absolutely dreading it.:(

The decision makers have the ultimate authority.
They can completely ignore any evidence they choose to - including the ATOS advice, if they believe they have good reason to do so.

I personally would suggest not stating explicitly you wish to be placed in the support group.

But mention in the 'additional info' bits of the form any difficulties you have that you believe amount to meeting one or more of the descriptors for the support group. See http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/dmgch42.pdf page 87.
(read the whole thing).

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/decision-makers-guide/#vol8 is where this is from, an invaluable resource.

ATOS also get any information you have supplied along with the ESA50, and in principle should question you to confirm that you're eligable for the support group.

One person even reported an ATOS medical involving only one question - about continence - which meant their interview lasted a couple of minutes, and they were placed in the support group.

skcollobcat10

melbury wrote: »

I know this is a strange question, but my OH's ATOS appointment is at 9.45am tomorrow and it is really urgent that we are out of there by 11.00am at the latest, as our dog is ill and has to be taken to the vet for an operation by 11.30am.

Last time we went was an afternoon appointment and we had to wait about 15 mins and were the only people there at that time. Do you think from the time they have allocated us tomorrow that this will be the second appointment of the day and so they shouldn't be running too late by then? I am of course presuming that they only give one person each time slot.

If it looks like we are going to be stuck there for ages we will have to leave and arrange another appointment, so don't know how that would go down with them.

My vets practice lets working people take their dogs in at 8am in the morning if they are working full time. Would it be possible for your vet to let you take your dog in before your examination? I would just phone if I were you.

melbury

skcollobcat10 wrote: »

My vets practice lets working people take their dogs in at 8am in the morning if they are working full time. Would it be possible for your vet to let you take your dog in before your examination? I would just phone if I were you.

Not really as he gets terribly stressed and so the vet always says to bring him in as late as possible and wait while they give him a pre-med until he gets dopey before we leave.

I can't see that they would keep us waiting that long at ATOS, as the appointment is for 9.45am and they ask you to arrive earlier than that anyway.

I will have a word with the receptionist when we get there and see how things look. If it looks bad then we will just have to leave and arrange another appointment, as I can't leave my dog in pain.:(