ESA Question

carpediemspirit

Hi There,

I would be grateful if somebody could help. Back in 2008 my father was diagnosed with Cancer and underwent gruelling chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Around 2010. He was declared as in remission, however owing to the long term complications of Cancer and it's treatment (tiredness, impaired mental function etc), his employment gave him medical retirement on grounds of ill health.

He signed up for ESA after diagnosis and during treatment and was put in the support group. However last week some jobsworth from the ESA call centre called him and invited him to a Medical Assesment, my dad asked the caller, have you read my file ? I have been medically retired and thus do not feel I should attend an assesment and he said dont worry about it and he told my dad he would not have to attend.

Today he gets a letter from Atos inviting him to a medical assssment, the letter was so patrionising and even gave him step by step directions on how to get to the centre by walking bus and trains.

Can anyone offer advice on how to deal with this ? What happens if your employer has retired you on the grounds of ILL health and the implications on ESA ?

I look forward to any help
Carpediemspirit

dmg24

Do you have to be so rude? That jobsworth on the phone was indeed doing his job, do you expect them to make exceptions just because your dad doesn't feel he should attend?

Medical retirement does not necessarily mean that he is not fit for any work, which is why he has been called for an assessment. If he does not want to go, he can cancel his claim. If he wishes to continue to claim, he should attend.

carpediemspirit

Judging by your post, you seem like a member of ATOS and no doubt subject people to the same sort of trauma every day

seven-day-weekend

I am glad your father is in remission from his cancer. However, being medically retired from one job does not necessarily mean he can't do another job. For example, someone may not be able to do heavy physical work, but could easily work in a call centre. or someone else may not be able to take the stress of a call centre, but could work happily as a bricklayer. This is why he has been called for a medical assessment - it is to assess if he is fit for any type of work.

To echo what DMG24 has said, the person on the phone was doing their job. As regards the letter, some people need help and advice on how to attend the medical so it is put in the letters. This does not make it patronising.

dmg24

carpediemspirit wrote: »

Judging by your post, you seem like a member of ATOS and no doubt subject people to the same sort of trauma every day

Nope, I just know how to speak to people to get the best result. If you are polite to the DWP/ ATOS you will almost always get a polite reply back. If you show them the attitude you have, you can expect them to be equally difficult back.

carpediemspirit

It's a shame people like you are unsympathetic, to you Cancer is probably a joke

seven-day-weekend

carpediem, you have just been given the answer to your question as to why your father has been called for a medical. No-one has been unsympathetic and there is no need to be rude to other posters who have tried to help you.

carpediemspirit

a big thanks to you Seven Day - no thanks to you DMG !

dmg24

carpediemspirit wrote: »

It's a shame people like you are unsympathetic, to you Cancer is probably a joke

Are you sympathetic to the person at the end of the phone who has to deal with rude people all day?

You were not posting for sympathy, you were asking how best to handle the situation. The best way to handle it is to attend the medical.

dmg24

carpediemspirit wrote: »

a big thanks to you Seven Day - no thanks to you DMG !

I'd like to say I'm bothered, but ... nope!

My best advice to your father is to go it alone. You'll probably end up getting thrown out the assessment centre.

healy

carpediemspirit wrote: »

It's a shame people like you are unsympathetic, to you Cancer is probably a joke

Nobody has been unsympathetic or said that Cancer is a joke, all they have done is answer your questions so I do not understand why you are being so aggressive.