ESA medical examination

AnnieH

I currently receive IS as a lone parent, with sickness and disability allowance.

Following sending my ESA questionnaire off, I've now been contacted and told I need to attend a medical examination.

Has anyone here had one? I'm really worried about it. I have no idea what to expect.
Thanks

FleurDuLys

Hi Annie, plenty of people here have had these examinations. If you do a search you should be able to find a lot of information.

Don't be worried, they'll just ask you various questions about how you manage everyday life, and get you to do things like bending down etc. They won't ask you to undress or anything like that.

muirbabe

Hi AnnieH,
I have had several ATOS medicals and the people conducting them have been pleasent and proffessional and I have passed each time. There is a lot of info on the internet about ATOS medicals, but I dont think I am allowed to post links.
best wishes and good luck,
muirbabe
ps do take advice by all means; CAB or MIND etc

formaldehyde_perfume

I have had one ATOS medical and the actual 40mins I spent with the Doctor (yes, apparently he was a Doctor) was actually very pleasant. As previously mentioned here I was asked to perform simple physical actions, I was asked about my daily routine, what I like to do for hobbies, who cares for me any why etc Unfortunately it was after the medical that the problems began, my ESA was stopped because I recieved 0 points (you need to score 15 to be assessed as having limited capacity for work) and when I got to view the Doctors report, it was ridiculous to say the least.

From my experience, my advice for you would be to:

- Take an adult with you, ask them to take notes of what is said (in theory you are allowed to record them but in practise they make it horribly difficult to do and I don't know of anyone who has succeeded in doing so yet)
- Get the name and qualification of the person who assesses you, it should be on a name badge but don't feel shy about asking them if you cannot see one.
- Take a copy of any medical questionaires they asked you to fill out and evidence of your problems which mean you cannot work as the medical practicioner does not usually have a copy of these.
- If you feel that performing any of the tasks you are asked to do will cause you significant pain or discomfort, or will leave you in a worse physical state because of doing them then tell the examinor and ask to be exempt for this reason.
- If, due to your disability (ie reason for not being able to work) you cannot get washed and dressed that day, or generally cannot look presentable, please do not use excessive energy to try and perform these tasks, go to the medical looking how you would on a normal day at home. ATOS comment on your appearance and make assumptions because of that.
- If you need extra help with caring for your child because of your problems, explain this. My doctor assumed that because I own a dog that I can bend down to put his food on the floor, and that I walk him every day using my legs. My mum had to explain that she does everything.

Unfortunately in my experience CAB won't come with you so personally if you experience problems as a result of your medical I would go to them, or someone similar, but there isn't much point in asking them beforehand.

HTH

AnnieH

Thanks for the replies. Very helpful